An update to tranexamic acid trends during the peripartum period in the United States, 2019 to 2021.

Background: Results from the 2017 World Maternal Antifibrinolytic trial found that patients who received tranexamic acid during delivery had significantly lower rates of death and hysterectomy. Several months after the World Maternal Antifibrinolytic trial publication, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorsed the consideration of tranexamic acid usage when traditional uterotonics fail during postpartum hemorrhage. Since then, tranexamic acid usage has become more mainstream for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate tranexamic acid trends in obstetrics both temporally and geographically within the United States. Additional outcomes included patient demographics and perinatal outcomes.

Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included 19 hospitals divided into East, Central, and West geographic regions within the Universal Health Services, Incorporated network. Rates of tranexamic acid use were compared from July 2019 through June 2021. Patient demographics and perinatal outcomes were analyzed for tranexamic acid recipients.

Results: During the two-year study period, 3.2% (1580/50,150) of patients received tranexamic acid during delivery. The western region of the United States demonstrated increased tranexamic acid use over the 2-year study period. Recipients of tranexamic acid were more likely to have a history of postpartum hemorrhage (P<.0001), chronic hypertension (P<.0001), preeclampsia (P<.0001), and/or diabetes (P=.004). Patients who received tranexamic acid did not have an increased likelihood of venous thromboembolism in comparison with those who did not receive tranexamic acid (8 [0.5%] vs 226 [0.5%]; P=.77). Of those who received tranexamic acid, 53.2% (840/1580) had an estimated blood loss <1000 mL.

Conclusion: Nationally, a higher percentage of patients received tranexamic acid without a postpartum hemorrhage diagnosis compared with previous studies, and the western region of the United States had an overall increased use of tranexamic acid during delivery compared with previous years. There was no increased risk of venous thromboembolism in those who received tranexamic acid, regardless of postpartum hemorrhage diagnosis.