Study raises concerns about drug used in heart surgeries

- Columbus Dispatcher

02/10/2007 - A drug widely used to prevent excessive bleeding during heart surgery appears to raise the risk of dying in within five years by nearly 50 percent, an international study found.

The researchers said replacing the drug aprotinin, sold by Bayer AG under the brand name Trasylol with other, cheaper medications for a year would prevent 10,000 deaths worldwide in the next five years.

Also, in a study published last year, the same scientists found that the drug raised the risk of kidney failure, heart attack and stroke.

Most of the deaths in the new study were related to those problems.

The Food and Drug Administration approved aprotinin in 1993.

The study was published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is representing individuals that have been harmed as a result of Trasylol side effects. If you or a loved one have suffered as a result of Trasylol side effects such as kidney failure, heart attack, or stroke you may be entitled to compensation. For more information about a Trasylol lawsuit, a possible Trasylol recall, or for questions regarding Trasylol class action lawsuits click here for a free, confidential case evaluation.