INHIBITION OF COAGULATION AND FIBRINOLYSIS BY APROTININ IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS-SURGERY

Markers indicating activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis (F1 + 2 fragment, thrombin-antithrombin complex, fibrin monomer and consumptio n of plasmin-activatable scu-PA) were measured intra- and 2 h postoper atively in the plasma of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass su rgery. 40 male patients were randomly assigned to high-dose aprotinin or control group. Intra- and postoperative blood loss, and increase in activation markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis were found signifi cantly reduced in the aprotinin group. If is concluded that contact-ph ase inhibition is a possible explanation for the dual inhibitory effec t of aprotinin and the concomitant preservation of the platelet functi on.