title: [Aprotinin in cardiac surgery: more risks than usefulness?].
abstract: Antifibrinolytic therapy with the serine protease inhibitor Aprotinin or the lysine analogues epsilon-aminocapronic acid or tranexamic acid is a therapeutic measure to reduce perioperative blood loss during cardiac surgery. In an international, prospective, non-randomised phase 4 observation study, Mangano et al. investigated the effectiveness and side-effects of Aprotinin, epsilon-aminocapronic acid and tranexamic acid in comparison to no antifibrinolytic therapy in a total of 4,374 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. In the opinion of Mangano et al. the results of this study question the safety and effectiveness of Aprotinin for reduction of perioperative blood loss by cardiac surgery patients. Despite a critical review of the study and results reported by Mangano et al., the authors of the present paper come to the conclusion that, in view of the availability of more reasonably priced alternatives in Germany, it appears to be sensible to give preference to tranexamic acid instead of aprotinin.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Klinikum der Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main. Bremerich@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bremerich
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Strametz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zwissler
mesh_terms: D000614:Aminocaproates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007611:Aprotinin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000614:Aminocaproates; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D006490:Hemostatics; D014148:Tranexamic Acid; D007611:Aprotinin