Haematologica
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
The effect of two different doses of aprotinin on hemostasis in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery: similar transfusion requirements and blood loss.
Various dosages of aprotinin have proven to be effective in reducing blood loss and allogeneic transfusion requirements in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, despite the controversy surrounding the precise hemostatic mechanisms of this drug. The aim of our prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to assess differences in blood loss and transfusion requirements and the effect of two dosages of aprotinin on hemostatic activation. ⋯ Our study shows that both dosages of aprotinin are safe and effective in reducing transfusion requirements. Considering the difference in cost of using a low-dose or high-dose schedule, the former should be recommended for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.