Aprotinin use during cardiac surgery: friend or foe?

Abstract

The study was approved by the clinical audit committee of the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust. Six thousand and ninety-one patients who had undergone non-emergency coronary artery bypass graft or valve surgery from January 2000 until March 2006 were included in a retrospective observational study. Using propensity adjusted multivariable logistic regression, incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction, arrhythmias and stroke was compared in patients given aprotinin, tranexamic acid or no antifibrinolytic agent. Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative renal failure in patients taking ACE inhibitors preoperatively was compared with those not taking these drugs.