Does aprotinin increase the risk of serious end-organ damage compared to aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid in patients undergoing cardiac surgery?
Aprotinin is associated with serious end-organ damage in cardiac surgery, and safer alternatives like aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid should be used instead.
The association between aprotinin and serious end-organ damage indicates that continued use is not prudent. In contrast, the less expensive generic medications aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are safe alternatives.
Mangano et al. (Wed,) studied this question.