[HSF] Amicar Dosing

[SJROSS at aol.com]

As part of our blood management program (in the post Aprotinin era), we are  
reviewing our use of epsilon- amino caproic acid (Amicar).
 
In the literature, there doesn't appear to be good  information  regarding 
effectiveness/safety of various dosing regimens. The doses used in  some studies 
have differed by nearly ten-fold.
 
Are any HSF members aware of any evidence that a particular dosing regimen  
is better or safer?
 
Failing good evidence, could we have a poll of doses used by the members  
programs for adult patients?
 
What loading dose  (e.g.  10 gm, or 100 mg/kg, etc)?
When is the loading dose given (e.g. before or after heparin)?
Any dose in pump?
Any maintenance dose?  How long is it maintained after CPB?
 
Could also ask same questions for tranexemic acid
 
Thanks,
 
Steve Rossiter
 
 



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