Aprotinin and epsilon aminocaproic acid are effective in reducing blood loss after primary total hip arthroplasty--a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.
A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and mechanism of action of two antifibrinolytic drugs aprotinin and epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) in reducing blood loss in primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Aprotinin was administered as a bolus of 2 x 10(6) kallikrein inhibitor units (KIU) followed by 0.5 x 10(6) KIU h(-1) for 3 h, EACA was given as 10 g over 30 min followed by 5 g over 3 h. The median postoperative blood loss 24 h postoperatively was reduced from 450 mL in the placebo group to 180 mL for aprotinin (60% reduction, P < 0.001) and to 210 mL for EACA (53% reduction, P < 0.01). In this population, there was no reduction in the perioperative transfusion requirements. The mechanism of both drugs was independent of platelets as indicated by flow cytometric measurement of change of their expression of P-selectin, platelet-monocyte aggregates, V/Va and CD40 ligand. There were no thrombotic or infective complications and no adverse events were attributable to use of either drug. Infusion of either aprotinin or EACA at the doses described is a safe and effective means of reducing blood loss after THA. These therapies provide a means of reducing blood loss in THA patients.
Ray
M
M
Northside Pathology, Queensland Health Pathology Service, Australia.
Hatcher
S
S
Whitehouse
S L
SL
Crawford
S
S
Crawford
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007611:Aprotinin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D010919:Placebos; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D006490:Hemostatics; D019007:P-Selectin; D010919:Placebos; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D007611:Aprotinin; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid