TY - JOUR
T1 - Antifibrinolytics in orthotopic liver transplantation
T2 - Current status and controversies
AU - Xia, Victor W.
AU - Steadman, Randolph H.
PY - 2005/1
Y1 - 2005/1
N2 - This article reviews the current status and controversies of the 3 commonly used antifibrinolytics - epsilon-aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid and aprotinin - during liver transplantation. There is no general consensus on how, when or which antifibrinolytics should be used in liver transplantation. Although these drugs appear to reduce blood loss and decrease transfusion requirements during liver transplantation, their use is not supported uniformly in clinical trials. Aprotinin has been studied more extensively in clinical trials and appear to offer more advantages compared to two other antifibrinolytics. Because of the diverse population of liver transplant recipients and the potential adverse effects of antifibrinolytics, especially life-threatening thromboembolism, careful patient selection and close monitoring is prudent. Further studies addressing the risks and benefits of antifibrinolytics in the setting of liver transplantation are warranted.
AB - This article reviews the current status and controversies of the 3 commonly used antifibrinolytics - epsilon-aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid and aprotinin - during liver transplantation. There is no general consensus on how, when or which antifibrinolytics should be used in liver transplantation. Although these drugs appear to reduce blood loss and decrease transfusion requirements during liver transplantation, their use is not supported uniformly in clinical trials. Aprotinin has been studied more extensively in clinical trials and appear to offer more advantages compared to two other antifibrinolytics. Because of the diverse population of liver transplant recipients and the potential adverse effects of antifibrinolytics, especially life-threatening thromboembolism, careful patient selection and close monitoring is prudent. Further studies addressing the risks and benefits of antifibrinolytics in the setting of liver transplantation are warranted.
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U2 - 10.1002/lt.20275
DO - 10.1002/lt.20275
M3 - Review article
C2 - 15690531
AN - SCOPUS:12344279132
SN - 1527-6465
VL - 11
SP - 10
EP - 18
JO - Liver Transplantation
JF - Liver Transplantation
IS - 1
ER -