Comparison of trauma‐dosed tranexamic acid versus aminocaproic acid in cardiac surgery in the setting of drug shortage

Antifibrinolytic agents, tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon‐aminocaproic acid (EACA), are often used during cardiac surgery to decrease the number of allogenic blood transfusions and to prevent perioperative bleeding. Weight‐based TXA dosing regimens have been compared to fixed‐dose regimens of EACA with variable outcomes in perioperative blood product transfusions and chest tube output. Serious adverse events, including seizures, have been reported with higher doses of TXA. Fixed‐dose TXA regimens have been evaluated in trauma and orthopedic surgery but there is a paucity of evidence in the cardiac surgery population.