Trasylol®

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Trasylol®

The heart surgery drug Trasylol®, generic name aprotinin, is given to heart surgery patients to control bleeding. The drug, which was approved by the FDA for use in 1993, has been the target of an independent study, released in January 2006, examining the safety and risk factors associated with the drug. Alarming results were found in the study pioneered by Dr. Dennis T. Mangano, suggesting that Trasylol® may DOUBLE a patient's risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke and renal failure.

The Study

The study examined over 4,300 heart surgery patients receiving treatment for blocked coronary arteries and other more complicated procedures. Of the patients, some were given Trasylol®, some were given generic alternatives aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid, and others had no medication. The patients who were given Trasylol® during their heart surgery had a significantly higher incidence of heart attacks, renal failure, strokes, and death, which was increased from 1.3 percent to 2.8 percent.

Trasylol® side effects

The risk of experiencing a heart attack increased more than 50 percent, renal failure nearly doubled, and the risk of stroke increased 181 percent, in patients who were given Trasylol®. Researchers believe that the reason for this grave miscalculation of Trasylol® risks is due to inadequate research during initial Trasylol® studies. Makers of the antifibrinolytic agent, Bayer AG, argue that the evidence found in this study is not consistent with years of research conducted by the pharmaceutical company.

Doctors and surgeons however have expressed tremendous concern over the recent discovery of serious Trasylol® side effects. Researchers have estimated, had the generic alternatives been used in replacement of Trasylol®;

11,050 kidney complications could have been avoided

$250 million could have been saved in drug expenses

$1 billion in healthcare costs could have been spared

The Alternative

The generic alternatives to Trasylol®, aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid have a number of benefits in comparison to the risky drug. Aside from the lack of substantial health risks, aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are less expensive than Trasylol®.

What the Experts Say

Dr. Dennis T. Mangano, leader of the Trasylol® study, alleges that he would not recommend that anyone be given Trasylol® during heart surgery "In good conscious, I could not administer Trasylol® to this group of patients, especially given the availability of safer alternatives, " commented the doctor. "The least that should be done is to inform the patient that the risk of going on dialysis is increased two- to three-fold and there are alternatives."

Contact Us

If you or a loved has suffered adverse Trasylol® side effects, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Contact us today to speak to a Trasylol® (aprotinin) attorney to discuss your case; free of charge . A Trasylol® attorney has the resources and knowledge necessary to help you protect and maximize your legal rights.