The effect of low-dose epsilon-aminocaproic acid on patients following coronary artery bypass surgery.
The effect of low-dose epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) on the postoperative course of 46 patients was studied. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly selected in two groups. Group 1 (20 patients) received 5 g EACA upon initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Group 2 (26 patients) received no antifibrinolytic drugs prior to CPB. Neither group received antifibrinolytic drugs after CPB. There was no significant difference between the two groups' blood usage on CPB: 0.65 units in Group 1 and 0.60 units in Group 2. After CPB, blood usage significantly differed: 2.2 +/- 1.7 (SD) units in Group 1 and 3.9 +/- 3.0 units in Group 2 (p = 0.033). Significant difference was also demonstrated in postoperative blood loss in the first 24 hours: 1610 +/- 531 ml in Group 1 versus 2025 +/- 804 ml in Group 2 (p = 0.043). Pre-CPB administration of low-dose EACA significantly decreases blood loss and blood usage in the postoperative period.
Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18105, USA.
R M
RM
Montesano
P A
PA
Gustafson
D A
DA
Palanzo
N J
NJ
Manley
F S
FS
Sadr
D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid