The effect of aprotinin on thrombelastography in vitro.

Abstract

The effect of low dose (50 KIU/ml) and high dose (200 KIU/ml) aprotinin on standard thrombelastographic variables (r, K, alpha, MA) was examined in vitro using blood from forty ASA Class 1 patients. Both concentrations of aprotinin resulted in minor increases in r time above the normal range (P < 0.05). Aprotinin did not alter other thrombelastographic variables. The results indicate that aprotinin is a mild direct anticoagulant in vitro as assessed by thrombelastography.