Epsilon-aminocaproic acid does not reduce blood transfusions following cardiac surgery

Abstract

People receiving epsilon-aminocaproic acid had significantly lower postoperative thoracic-drainage volume (649ml at 24 hours versus 940ml in placebo group, p 1⁄4 0:003). There were no significant differences between groups in the percentage of people requiring donor red blood cell transfusions (24% epsilon-aminocaproic acid vs 18% controls, p 1⁄4 0:62) or in the number of units of donor red blood cells transfused.