Trasylol is a drug that is used to control bleeding in patients going through cardiac surgical procedure, but a new study is doubtful about the safety of that drug.

In 2007, Trastoyl was removed from the market in the US, as it was the subject of controversy there.

In their study, researchers from Australia and Canada reviewed data received from 48 clinical trials. The researchers found that the patients who were given Trasylol had a higher death risk than the patients who were given other anti-bleeding drugs known as lysine analogues.

The author of the study says that: “though Trasylol proves more effective to control transfusions and blood loss, it potentially has a higher risk of death and higher price as well that deter its use. To avoid blood loss during surgical procedures, aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid have been recommended by the researchers.

“When it’s about limiting blood loss, lysine analogues appear as helpful as aprotinin and they are also cheaper and can be helpful in increasing mortality rate” Dr. David Henry, the author of the study says.

The study is expected to be published in the Canadian medical Association Journal, Jan. 20 issue.
The study has also been released in advance for a meeting of Health Canada expert advisory panel, as this panel will decide about aprotinin use.