Trasylol (aprotinin) is a drug surgeons use to control bleeding during heart surgery. New research has found that aprotinin also doubles the risk of kidney failures. The researchers who took part in this new study say the drug should be dropped.
Aprotinin has other risks: Patients have a 48% higher risk of a heart attack, heart failure risk is 109% higher and stroke a whopping 181%.
Aprotinin is produced and owned by Bayer Corp.
Every year, over 11,000 patients need kidney dialysis as a result of having been given this drug during heart surgery.
You can read about this study in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Other cheaper and safer drugs are available, say the scientists. They said doctors should inform the patient about the drug’s risks if they still wish to use it. Aprotinin has been on the market for over 12 years.
In this study over four thousand patients were looked at – they had all had heart operations. Areas covered included North America, Europe Colombia, Israel and Thailand.
The FDA says the drug is under review.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today