Hypothermia induced platelet aggregation: No effect of aprotinin (trasylol) but inhibition by eptifibatide (integrilin)

Abstract

Objectives: The serine-protease inhibitor aprotinin protects platelet function during cardiopulmonary bypass. However, its safety and efficacy during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is controversially discussed, and aprotinin is suspected to cause thrombosis especially during hypothermia. The platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide has recently been shown to preserve platelet-function during cardiopulmonary bypass without increasing bleeding complications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of aprotinin and eptifibatide on platelet-function under conditions of DHCA.