Two observational studies sharpen safety concerns about an agent that had been widely used.
The use of aprotinin reduces blood loss in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, but results of a prominent study published in 2006 (Journal Watch Cardiology Mar 9 2006) indicated that it may also increase the risk for death. In November 2007, Bayer HealthCare, the drug’s manufacturer, temporarily suspended marketing of the drug worldwide. Two new studies of the real-world use of aprotinin provide additional information about its safety.
In the first study, researchers made use of the Premier Perspective Comparative Database, a repository of hospital administrative data that includes charges for medications. In a cohort of 78,199 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery from January 2003 through March 2006, 42% received aprotinin. I…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime
EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science
Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association