Safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid compared with aprotinin in thoracic aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of high-dose tranexamic acid (TA) compared with aprotinin in patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).

DESIGN: A retrospective study.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-four patients underwent thoracic aortic surgery with DHCA arrest between July 2006 and December 2007. Antifibrinolytic efficacy and perioperative outcomes were compared between the groups by appropriate statistical tests.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Demographic data, comorbid conditions, aortic pathology, surgical procedures, and operative data were comparable between groups. The use of blood products tended to be more in the TA group, despite the fact that the aprotinin group had longer CPB duration. Thirty-day mortality was 5 of 48 (10.4%) in the aprotinin group versus 5 of 36 (13.9%) in the TA group (p = 0.44). Neurologic, cardiac, and respiratory dysfunctions were comparable as well as intensive care unit and hospital stay. Serum creatinine increased significantly postoperatively in both groups, with more patients in the aprotinin group developing stage 1 postoperative renal dysfunction based on Acute Kidney Insufficiency Network criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for postoperative renal dysfunction including preoperative creatinine clearance, blood transfusion, and sepsis. Throughout the study, both drugs were available for use, allowing selective bias for providers.

CONCLUSIONS: Aprotinin appeared more effective in reducing blood product use after thoracic aortic surgery in this limited cohort. Aprotinin use also appeared to be associated with postoperative renal dysfunction. The choice of antifibrinolytic appeared to not be associated with cardiac, neurologic, or respiratory outcomes or survival after thoracic aortic surgery requiring DHCA.