Aprotinin Drug Trasylol | Class Action Lawsuit

Trasylol Aprotinin Side Effects Study

Another study reveals an increased risk of serious Trasylol side effects leading to a higher mortality rate in aprotinin bypass patients. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine on February 21, 2008 shows an increased risk of death for patients receiving aprotinin (Trasylol) during coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG). The researchers analyzed hospital data from over 33,000 heart surgery patients who received Trasylol and around 45,000 patients who received aminocaproic acid.

The study examined hospital records with operating room charges that included billing for either Trasylol (33517 patients) or aminocaproic acid (44,682 patients). In patients receiving Aprotinin during their bypass surgery there was a 64% increased risk of death. The researchers concluded that doctors should weigh the benefits of Trasylol with the increased risk of death considering aprotinin showed little or not benefit in reducing the number of blood transfusions compared to the alternative drug aminocaproic acid. The researchers have provided the study data to the FDA and the manufacturer (Bayer); however Bayer has disagreed with the methods and conclusions of the study.

Study: Aprotinin during Coronary-Artery Bypass Grafting and Risk of Death
N Engl J Med 2008;358:771-83

If you or a loved one has had open heart surgery and then experienced Trasylol side effects including kidney failure, heart failure or stroke, you may be able entitled to compensation. A Trasylol class action lawsuit attorney can help evaluate your claim. For a free, confidential no-obligation consultation contact us via e-mail or by calling our toll free number 1-888-343-5375.

Class Action Trasylol Updates | Heart Surgery Drug

Trasylol Heart Surgery Drug Information

What is aprotinin injection?

APROTININ (Trasylol) is a drug that affects the way blood clots. It was given to heart surgery patients during bypass procedures. Aprotinin was mainly used during repeat coronary artery bypass surgery to reduce the amount of bleeding before and after surgery. Trasylol and other clotting medications help to reduce the amount of blood transfusion required.

Trasylol

Generic Name: Aprotinin
Brand Name: Trasylol
Drug Maker: Bayer

What is it used for?

Trasylol was used during open heart surgery to help prevent blood loss and the need for blood transfusion in patients who have an increased risk of excessive bleeding during and after the operation.

How does Trasylol work?

Trasylol injection/infusion contains the active ingredient – aprotinin. Aprotinin is also available without a brand name as it is the generic drug.

Aprotinin is a type of medicine that called an antifibrinolytic. Aprotinin prevents bleeding and functions by inactivating plasmin, a substance in the blood, and thereby prevents bleeding.

Plasmin is an enzyme that is produced in the blood to break down fibrin, a major component of blood clots. Aprotinin inactivates plasmin and stops it from breaking down blood clots. This helps to prevent excessive bleeding.

Prior to the Trasylol recall, Bayer’s heart surgery drug was used to prevent excessive, life-threatening blood loss and the need for blood transfusion during open heart surgery (most often by-pass surgery) in people who are at increased risk of bleeding).

If you or a loved one has had open heart surgery and then experienced Trasylol kidney failure, heart failure or stroke, you may be able entitled to compensation. A Trasylol lawsuit attorney can help evaluate your claim. For a free, confidential no-obligation consultation contact us via e-mail or by calling our toll free number 1-888-343-5375.

Heart Surgery and Kidney Failure | Trasylol Class Action Suit

Following a Trasylol recall in 2007, Bayer’s heart surgery drug continued to be used during heart surgery even though cheaper and safer alternative drugs were available. Unfortunately, Trasylol was used until as recently as May 2008.In 1993, Trasylol (also referred to as “aprotinin”) received FDA approval for use in certain types of heart surgeries. Until recently, Trasylol was used to reduce the amount of blood a patient loses both during and after a surgery. However, a mounting controversy surrounded the continued use of Trasylol, and in February of 2006, the FDA issued a public health advisory warning physicians to limit use of Trasylol.

Trasylol is an antifibrinolytic drug which helps slow down the breakdown of blood clots and prevent excessive bleeding during open heart surgery. Trasylol came under increased scrutiny following a Canadian study that showed the drug increased the risk for death compared to the generic alternatives.

The Canadian study confirmed the findings of another recent study based on observations at 69 leading cardiac centers around the world was published regarding Bayer’s heart surgery drug Trasylol. Kidney failure, heart failure, and stroke are some of the dangerous side effects linked to Trasylol heart surgery patients according to the study published by Mangano et al. in January 2006 in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Dr. Mangano’s observational study concluded, “Our findings raise serious concerns regarding the safety of an approved drug intended to limit blood loss in at-risk patients undergoing surgery.” Mangano related his opinion regarding the ongoing use of Trasylol, stating “In good conscience, I could not administer (Trasylol) to this group of patients, especially given the availability of safer alternatives.” Trasylol problems continue to be studied and the drug is no longer being used during heart surgery.

If you or a loved one has had open heart surgery and then experienced Trasylol kidney failure, heart failure or stroke, you may be able entitled to compensation. A Trasylol lawsuit attorney can help evaluate your claim. For a free, confidential no-obligation consultation contact us via e-mail or by calling our toll free number 1-888-343-5375.

Trasylol Class Action Lawsuits

Trasylol lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States alleging that the heart surgery drug is a defective medication. They state that Trasylol (aprotinin) has caused kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes. These aprotinin lawsuits claim that Bayer, the drug’s manufacturer, marketed and sold Trasylol as a safe and effective medication to help prevent excessive bleeding during bypass surgery. They also claim that Bayer failed to adequately warn patients of its side effects. 

Bayer disputes the growing number of aprotinin studies that show increased risk of serious complications and death in Trasylol recipients. The causal link between Trasylol and these potentially fatal side effects has been known for several years and there is evidence that Bayer has known about the link between Trasylol and kidney failure as far back as the early 1980’s. The German scientist Dr. Juergen Fischer, director of the

Institute ofExperimental Medicine at theUniversity ofCologne, found severe incidents of kidney damage in animals that were given Trasylol more than 20 years ago. According to Dr. Fischer, he was surprised Bayer wasn’t interested in his findings.