A multi-center study co-led by researchers at Mayo Clinic and Michigan State University found that patients who received tranexamic acid during liver surgery were three times less likely to develop post-hepatectomy liver failure, according to a press release dated June 26, 2026.
The study, published in the journal Annals of Surgery, analyzed data from 1,200 patients across 10 medical centers. Tranexamic acid, a common antifibrinolytic drug, is typically used to reduce bleeding in surgeries and trauma.
Dr. Sean Cleary, a hepatobiliary surgeon at Mayo Clinic and co-lead author, stated, 'This is a significant finding because tranexamic acid is inexpensive and widely available.' The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Post-hepatectomy liver failure occurs in up to 10% of liver resection patients and can be fatal. The drug works by stabilizing blood clots and reducing inflammation, which may protect liver tissue.
The authors caution that further trials are needed to confirm the results and determine optimal dosing. The study was conducted between 2022 and 2025.
