Aprotinin Use in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Aprotinin is a serine protease inhibitor that inhibits kal likrein and plasmin. Aprotinin's plasmin inhibition accounts for its antifibrinolytic and platelet-sparing effects, which are important factors for its homeostatic efficacy. The kallikrein inhibition occurs at higher plasma levels and is the mecha nism accounting for its anti-inflammatory actions. Aprotinin has relatively large acquisition costs, but these costs are offset by potential reductions in transfusions and intensive care costs. This review summarizes the pediatric literature and develops generalized recommendations for the effica cious use of aprotinin.