Journal of cardiac surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Reduction of blood loss and transfusion requirements after coronary artery bypass grafting: similar efficacy of tranexamic acid and aprotinin in aspirin-treated patients.
In patients with coronary artery disease, continuation of aspirin may reduce the incidence of unstable angina and preoperative myocardial infarction before surgery, but the risk of perioperative bleeding may be increased. ⋯ In this trial, we were not able to demonstrate any difference in postoperative bleeding in patients pretreated with aspirin after high-dose aprotinin or TXA. From a practical point of view, TXA is safe, less expensive than aprotinin, and easy to handle, and can be recommended in patients pretreated with aspirin to improve postoperative hemostasis.