title: The efficacy and safety of epsilon-aminocaproic acid treatment in patients with cirrhosis and hyperfibrinolysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with decompensated cirrhosis are at risk for hyperfibrinolysis; this is potentially fatal. epsilon-aminocaproic acid has been used to treat patients with hyperfibrinolysis; however, the data about its benefit in the setting of cirrhosis are minimal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the efficacy of epsilon-aminocaproic acid and its safety in cirrhotic patients with hyperfibrinolysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with an abnormal euglobin lysis time who were admitted to Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2002 were included in the study. Their medical records were reviewed and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 60 cirrhotic patients with shortened euglobin lysis time. Fifty-two patients received epsilon-aminocaproic acid. Of the 52 patients, seven had one or more bleeding episodes with the subcutaneous or soft tissue bleeding as the most common indication for epsilon-aminocaproic acid use. Of the 37 patients, 34 (92%) had improvement or resolution of their bleeding. Only two (3%) patients had epsilon-aminocaproic acid treatment discontinued because of minor side effects, rash and lightheadedness. There were no thromboembolic complications of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  epsilon-aminocaproic acid was found to be effective and safe for treatment of hyperfibrinolysis in patients with cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California Liver Unit, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, Downey, CA 92354, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gunawan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Runyon
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D012712:Serum Globulins; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid