An anti-inflammatory role for tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery?

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are elevated after cardiac surgery. The control of the release of these major paracrine proteins is becoming clearer and they have been shown to be involved in the activation of the coagulation/fibrinolysis pathway, among other cascades. The association of a predominance of pro-inflammatory cytokines with morbidity in some patients, particularly following cardiac surgery, is well described but still incompletely understood. Clinical studies elucidating how clinicians may influence this cytokine release directly will improve our knowledge of the processes involved and could ultimately show benefit in better outcomes for patients.