The impact of hemocoagulase for improvement of coagulation and reduction of bleeding in fracture-related hip hemiarthroplasty geriatric patients: A prospective, single-blinded, randomized, controlled study

Abstract Background Uncontrolled bleeding is associated with poor outcomes and mortality in geriatric patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty. Hemocoagulase agkistrodon is a hemocoagulative, anti-hemorrhagic enzyme complex from Deinagkistrodon acutus snake venom. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of hemocoagulase agkistrodon on coagulation and bleeding outcomes in fracture-related hemiarthroplasty. Patients and methods This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial carried out between October 2013 and September 2014 in 96 geriatric patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty for unilateral femoral neck fracture. Patients were administrated hemocoagulase agkistrodon ( n  = 48) or normal saline ( n  = 48). Intraoperative blood loss, transfusion volume and rate, and drainage were assessed. Hemoglobin (Hb) and coagulation parameters (prothrombin time [PT], thrombin time [TT], plasma fibrinogen [FIB], and activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT]) were recorded preoperatively and 30 min and 1, 3, and 5 days after surgery. Complications were followed up for 4 weeks. Results Compared to controls, hemocoagulase patients exhibited lower intraoperative blood loss ( P all P P P  Conclusions Hemocoagulase reduced blood loss and transfusion in fracture-related hip hemiarthroplasty without increasing short-term adverse event rates. In geriatric populations, hemocoagulase could be used for limiting bleeding and related complications. Trial registration: This trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (no. ChiCTR-TRC-14004379)