Background
Anti-haemorrhagic drugs are being used to prevent and treat haemorrhagic complications in cardiac surgery. Aprotinin is an antifibrinolytic agent that had been used in clinical practice for decades. In 2008, the BART-study revealed its unfavourable effects on postoperative mortality, which led to its withdrawal from the market.
We compared the effects of aprotinin and the currently available tranexamic acid (TA) on postoperative blood loss, hemodynamic, hemostaseologic and inflammatory parameters, using a canine model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Material and Methods
Beagle dogs were randomized into three groups (n=8/group). Control dogs received placebo, treated groups were given aprotinin or TA. All animals underwent 90min of CPB, which was followed by 130min observation. We regularly determined blood loss and coagulation parameters, while hemodynamic parameters were continuously monitored. To assess the systemic inflammatory response induced by CPB, plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8 and