title: Managing fibrinolysis without aprotinin.
abstract: Cardiopulmonary bypass increases perioperative bleeding and produces a consumptive coagulopathy, which is defined as the simultaneous production of thrombin and fibrinolysis. Thrombin formation and fibrinolysis primarily occur in the surgical wound and peak at the time heparin is reversed by protamine. Neither aprotinin nor lysine analogs successfully control bleeding in many complex procedures, reoperations, aortic resections, or in implantations of mechanical circulatory devices. This analysis reviews the mechanisms involved and current treatment protocols, with the conclusion that changes in treatment protocols rather than use of a specific anti-fibrinolytic drug may provide better control of bleeding in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-3325, USA. hank.edmunds@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: L Henry
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Edmunds
mesh_terms: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007611:Aprotinin; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D000075202:Contraindications; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006490:Hemostatics; D006801:Humans; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D006490:Hemostatics; D007611:Aprotinin