Retrospective analysis of effect of low-dose aprotinin priming on allogeneic blood transfusion in repeated cardiac operations

The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate efficacy of lo w-dose aprotinin priming therapy on the requirement of allogeneic transfusi on and to identify risk factors for allogeneic transfusion in patients unde rgoing repeated cardiac operations. The present study includes a critical review of 124 consecutive charts of p atients undergoing elective repeat cardiac surgery We examined the effect o f low-dose aprotinin priming therapy on blood loss, amounts of mediastinal drainage following intensive care unit (ICU) administration and the number of units of blood products given during the perioperative period. The rate of nonallogeneic transfusion was not affected by low-dose aprotini n priming therapy, although aprotinin reduced the amount of allogeneic tran sfusion and the amount of mediastinal drainage 12 h following ICU admission . In conclusion, low-dose aprotinin priming therapy is effective in reducing blood loss and the amount of allogeneic transfusion. However, it failed to improve the rate of cardiac reoperations without allogeneic blood transfusi on.