CancerCare Manitoba

TRACTION Trial Shows Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Transfusions by 31% in Non-Cardiac Surgery Without Increasing Clot Risk

- The TRACTION trial demonstrated that tranexamic acid reduced the need for red blood cell transfusions by 31% in patients undergoing high-risk non-cardiac surgeries compared to placebo. - Among 8,273 patients across 10 Canadian hospitals, tranexamic acid lowered transfusion rates from 9.8% to 7.4% without increasing venous thromboembolism risk. - The findings suggest broad implementation could prevent 5-10 million units of perioperative red cell transfusions annually in the estimated 100 million non-cardiac surgeries performed yearly. - The inexpensive, widely available drug showed particular safety in cancer patients, who comprised 60.5% of the study population and face elevated thrombosis risk.