• D P Sheridan, R T Card, J C Pinilla, S M Harding, D J Thomson, L Gauthier, and D Drotar.
• Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
• Can J Surg. 1994 Feb 1; 37 (1): 33-6.

ObjectiveTo determine whether desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) has the ability to reduce blood loss in patients with a known bleeding tendency.DesignA randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study.SettingA university teaching hospital.PatientsMen under the age of 70 years who had taken acetylsalicylic acid within 7 days of scheduled coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients with an abnormal hematologic profile or a history of bleeding or who were receiving heparin or undergoing repeat coronary bypass surgery were excluded. Forty-four patients were randomized with restriction in blocks of 10; 20 received DDAVP and 24 received a placebo.Main Outcome MeasuresBlood loss and blood transfusion requirements.ResultsPatients treated with DDAVP lost significantly (p < 0.01) less blood than those receiving a placebo (1543 mL versus 2376 mL respectively). Nineteen patients had a blood loss of more than 2000 mL; 15 of these were in the placebo group. Significantly (p < 0.02) fewer patients receiving DDAVP required blood transfusion (9 versus 18).ConclusionsDDAVP reduces blood loss during cardiac bypass surgery in patients who have taken acetylsalicylic acid within 7 days before operation.

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