Aprotinin

From WikiMD.com Medical Encyclopedia

Aprotinin[edit | edit source]

Aprotinin is a serine protease inhibitor derived from bovine lung tissue. It is used in medicine to reduce bleeding during complex surgeries, such as cardiac surgery. Aprotinin works by inhibiting several proteolytic enzymes, including trypsin, plasmin, and kallikrein.

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

Aprotinin functions by forming reversible stoichiometric complexes with proteases, thereby inhibiting their activity. This inhibition is particularly effective against plasmin, an enzyme involved in the breakdown of fibrin, which is a key component of blood clots. By inhibiting plasmin, aprotinin helps to maintain clot stability and reduce bleeding.

Clinical Uses[edit | edit source]

Aprotinin has been primarily used in cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries to reduce perioperative blood loss and the need for blood transfusions. It has also been used in other surgical procedures where significant bleeding is anticipated.

Safety and Efficacy[edit | edit source]

The use of aprotinin has been controversial due to concerns about its safety profile. Some studies have suggested an increased risk of renal failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke associated with its use. As a result, aprotinin was temporarily withdrawn from the market in some countries but has since been reintroduced with specific guidelines and restrictions.

Pharmacokinetics[edit | edit source]

Aprotinin is administered intravenously and has a rapid onset of action. It is distributed in the extracellular space and is primarily eliminated by the kidneys. The half-life of aprotinin is approximately 150 minutes, but this can vary depending on the patient's renal function.

History[edit | edit source]

Aprotinin was first isolated in the 1930s and was introduced into clinical practice in the 1960s. It gained widespread use in the 1980s and 1990s for its ability to reduce bleeding during surgery. However, its use declined in the late 2000s due to safety concerns, leading to a reevaluation of its risk-benefit profile.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

Medicine - Specialties and subspecialties
Surgery

Cardiac surgery - Cardiothoracic surgery - Colorectal surgery - Ophthalmology - General surgery - Neurosurgery - Oral and maxillofacial surgery - Orthopedic surgery - Hand surgery - Otolaryngology - ENT - Pediatric surgery - Plastic surgery - Reproductive surgery - Surgical oncology - Transplant surgery - Trauma surgery - Urology - Andrology - Vascular surgery

Medicine Internal medicine - Allergy / Immunology - Angiology - Cardiology - Endocrinology - Gastroenterology - Hepatology - Geriatrics - Hematology - Hospital medicine - Infectious disease - Nephrology - Oncology - Pulmonology - Rheumatology
Obstetrics and gynaecology Gynaecology - Gynecologic oncology - Maternal–fetal medicine - Obstetrics - Reproductive endocrinology and infertility - Urogynecology
Diagnostic Radiology - Interventional radiology - Nuclear medicine - Pathology - Anatomical - Clinical pathology - Clinical chemistry - Cytopathology - Medical microbiology - Transfusion medicine
Other specialties Addiction medicine - Adolescent medicine - Anesthesiology - Dermatology - Disaster medicine - Diving medicine - Emergency medicine - Family medicine - General practice - Hospital medicine - Intensive care medicine - Medical genetics - Narcology - Neurology - Clinical neurophysiology - Occupational medicine - Ophthalmology - Oral medicine - Pain management - Palliative care - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) - Preventive medicine - Psychiatry -Addiction psychiatry - Radiation oncology - Reproductive medicine - Sexual medicine - Sleep medicine - Sports medicine - Transplantation medicine - Tropical medicine - Travel medicine - Venereology
Medical education Medical school - USMLE - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery - Bachelor of Medical Sciences - Doctor of Medicine - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - Alternative medicine - Allied health - Dentistry - Podiatry - Pharmacy - Physiotherapy - Molecular oncology - Nanomedicine - Personalized medicine - Public health - Rural health - Therapy - Traditional medicine - Veterinary medicine - Physician - Chief physician - History of medicine
Misc. topics Health topics A-Z - Rare diseases - Drugs - Diet - Medicine portal - First Aid - Glossary of medicine - Health insurance - Glossary of health topics - Drug classes - Medicines - List-Class medicine articles
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD