A Phase IV trial of a hospital policy of Tranexamic acid to reduce transfution in major non-cardiac surgery (TRACTION)

A Pragmatic randomized controlled trial

Trial Overview

  • 8428 Patients Enrolled - Complete

  • 10 Participating Sites

  • OHRI Database

Funders & Collaborators


Trial Description

The TRACTION Trial was a national multi-centre Phase IV randomized cluster-crossover trial comparing Tranexamic acid versus placebo. Participating centres were randomly allocated to receive either TXA or matching placebo at 1-month intervals, with co-primary outcomes designed to evaluate effectiveness in the context of safety.

Trial Synopsis

● TITLE: A Phase IV trial of a hospital policy of Tranexamic acid use to reduce transfusion in major non-cardiac surgery (TRACTION)

● SHORT TITLE: Tranexamic acid to reduce transfusion in major non-cardiac surgery

● TRIAL DESIGN: Pragmatic, randomized cluster-crossover trial.

● PLANNED SAMPLE SIZE OF TRIAL PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 8320 patients 18 years of age and with Increased local fibrinolysis undergoing surgeries known to have a baseline transfusion rate of 5% or greater.

● INVESTIGATIONAL MEDICINAL PRODUCT(s): Tranexamic acid (TXA)

● FORMULATION, DOSE, ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION: TXA 1 gram intravenous bolus followed by 1 additional gram prior to skin closure.

● DURATION: From first surgical incision until skin closure.

● FOLLOW UP DURATION: 90 days

● PLANNED TRIAL PERIOD: 18 months

● PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Co-primary outcomes include: a) the proportion of patients transfused red blood cells (RBCs); and b) the incidence of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus within 3 months of surgery.

● SECONDARY OUTCOMES: (1) Transfusion: The number of RBC units transfused, both at an individual-level and at a cluster-level; (2) Safety: In-hospital diagnosis of myocardial infarction, stroke, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus; (3) Clinical: Hospital length of stay, ICU admission, hospital survival, 3-month survival, and the number of days at home to day 30 (DAH30); 4) Compliance: proportion of eligible patients who receive the policy intervention, and the policy compliance in enrolled patients.

  • A Phase IV trial of a hospital policy of Tranexamic acid use to reduce transfusion in major non-cardiac surgery (TRACTION)

  • Tranexamic acid to reduce transfusion in major non-cardiac surgery

  • Pragmatic, randomized cluster-crossover trial.

  • Approximately 8320 patients 18 years of age and with Increased local fibrinolysis undergoing surgeries known to have a baseline transfusion rate of 5% or greater.

  • Tranexamic acid (TXA)

  • TXA 1 gram intravenous bolus followed by 1 additional gram prior to skin closure.

  • From first surgical incision until skin closure.

  • 90 days

  • 18 months

  • Co-primary outcomes include: a) the proportion of patients transfused red blood cells (RBCs); and b) the incidence of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus within 3 months of surgery.

  • (1) Transfusion: The number of RBC units transfused, both at an individual-level and at a cluster-level; (2) Safety: In-hospital diagnosis of myocardial infarction, stroke, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus; (3) Clinical: Hospital length of stay, ICU admission, hospital survival, 3-month survival, and the number of days at home to day 30 (DAH30); 4) Compliance: proportion of eligible patients who receive the policy intervention, and the policy compliance in enrolled patients.

Trial Synopsis