Bypass Patients Face Increased Mortality Risk With Trasylol

There is an increased risk of mortality for bypass patients who have been treated with Trasylol (aprotinin). The results of a study indicating this link was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. According to researchers, Trasylol was “associated with a 48% increase in risk of dying within five years of coronary artery bypass surgery. . . .” Trasylol is used to limit operative blood loss. An analysis of the study data showed that there is both perioperative and long-term risk with Trasylol in bypass patients. “Therefore, continued use of aprotinin in this population does not appear prudent, given that safer alternatives-aminiocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are available.” Other doctors agree with the researchers’ conclusions, but note the limits of the study design.