Aprotinin in lung transplantation is associated with an increased incidence of primary graft dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
Aprotinin has been widely used to reduce bleeding and transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery and in lung transplantation. A recent study found a significant reduction in severe (grade III) primary graft dysfunction (PGD) in lung transplantation where aprotinin had been used. However, recently, concerns regarding the safety of aprotinin have been raised, and the future use of aprotinin is uncertain. In our institution, aprotinin has been widely used in cardiac surgery and transplantation. We decided to review our lung transplant caseload to investigate the impact of aprotinin on PGD and mortality and to guide our future clinical use of this antifibrinolytic.


METHODS
A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 213 consecutive patients who underwent single- or double-lung transplantation was performed. Ninety-nine patients, who received aprotinin, were compared with 114 patients who did not. The main outcome variables analysed were development of primary graft dysfunction, renal impairment and mortality.


RESULTS
Aprotinin was associated with a significantly increased risk of PGD in the first 48 h postoperatively (p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, although the benefits of aprotinin on blood loss are well established, this study does not provide support for the use of aprotinin to reduce PGD in lung transplantation and indicates that aprotinin may in fact have a detrimental effect.
Marasco
Silvana F
SF
Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, The Alfred Hospital, Prahran, VIC, Australia. silvanamarasco@netspace.net.au
Pilcher
David
D
Oto
Takahiro
T
Chang
Wenly
W
Griffiths
Anne
A
Pellegrino
Vince
V
Chan
Justin
J
Bailey
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D007611:Aprotinin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055031:Primary Graft Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D006490:Hemostatics; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D007611:Aprotinin; D003404:Creatinine