Antifibrinolytics in cardiac surgical patients receiving aspirin: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Antifibrinolytics in cardiac surgical patients receiving aspirin: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Article Type: Reviews of effectiveness From: Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Volume 15, Issue 1

D.R. McIlroy, P.S. Myles, L.E. Phillips and J.A. Smith,British Journal of Anaesthesia,2009,Vol. 102,pp. 168-178

This review concluded that antifibrinolytic agents were effective for reducing chest-tube drainage and transfusion requirements for low risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery who were receiving aspirin, but there was no benefit for adverse events. The authors’ conclusions are reasonable and likely to be reliable provided they are applied to a low risk population.