Heart–Drug Trasylol® Associated With Increased Death Rates
SAN BRUNO, CA — March 2, 2007 — Patients who received the anti–bleeding drug Trasylol® during coronary bypass surgery greatly increased their risk of dying within five years after the operation, according to a recent report (JAMA. 2007 Feb 7; 297(5): 471–9). The study took place over a 10–year period and involved almost 3,900 people who underwent coronary bypass surgery. Among the 1,072 patients who took Trasylol®, 223 or 20.8% died within five years, while the rate among those who took no anti–bleeding drugs was 12.7% (128 deaths among 1,009 patients). Death rates were not increased among patients who took alternative anti–bleeding medications (aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid).
Trasylol® Side Effects
Trasylol® is the brand name for an injectable form of a protein product called aprotinin that stops or slows certain enzymes that normally promote bleeding. The drug has been linked to severe allergic reactions, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes. The study authors believe that the increased death rate among Trasylol® users could be due to thrombosis or blood clots because Trasylol® can keep clots from dissolving.
Last year, the Food and Drug Administration added a “black box” warning to the Trasylol® prescribing instructions. This is the highest alert level that the FDA imposes short of recalling a drug. The warning advises that in some cases, even test doses of Trasylol® have caused allergic reactions that proved fatal. It also advises doctors not to prescribe Trasylol® unless patients must undergo heart bypass graft surgery, are at increased risk for blood loss and must use a heart pump during the bypass operation.
Millions Have Taken Trasylol®
About 4 million people have taken Trasylol®, including about 200,000 patients last year. The study authors estimate that over the next five years about 10,000 people could die as the result of using Trasylol®.
“I would use this drug [Trasylol®] as a last resort,” said Dennis Mangano of the Ischemia Research and Education Foundation and the lead author of the study (Los Angeles Times, February 7, 2007). He points out that aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid are effective alternative medications that are cheaper and safer than Trasylol®.
Your Trasylol® Case
Brayton Purcell is now evaluating cases of Trasylol® users who have suffered kidney failures, congestive heart failures, or strokes. If you or a family member developed these conditions while or after taking Trasylol®, please contact us through this web site or call 1–866–809–5240 toll–free.