HSC R&D Division is helping to fund a research trial in the area of hip and knee surgery, which is looking at whether giving certain drugs during surgery as well as after surgery will help to reduce blood loss.
This will be the biggest study of its kind in this area and will involve over 1000 patients.
It is hoped that the results will have a direct beneficial effect for patients as they will lose less blood during and after surgery and that it might also reduce the need for blood transfusions, a major issue for the NHS.
The study which is due to start in April 2016 will take 3 years. It is being funded by the Belfast Arthroplasty Research Trust (BART) and HSC R&D Division. It is being supported by the Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit.
The Chief Investigator for this research, Professor David Beverland, (Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Musgrave Park Hospital) said
“Blood loss following hip and knee replacement has a major impact on patient recovery. On average patients lose over a quarter of their total blood volume with many losing up to one third. We know that tranexamic acid can reduce blood loss significantly but this study will firstly tell us whether extended use can increase its effect and secondly help determine the role of tranexamic acid in high risk patients.”
For more information on this trial please contact Janet Hill (Primary Joint Research Manager, Primary Joint Unit, Musgrave Park Hospital)
