Reduction of heparin binding to and inhibition of platelets by aprotinin.

Abstract

The direct effect of aprotinin on in vitro platelet function was assessed by hemostatometry (n = 10). No significant enhancement was demonstrated. However, aprotinin reduced platelet inhibition secondary to heparin. Hemostatometry demonstrated a significant preservation of in vitro platelet function (n = 25) (p = 0.04), which was particularly marked (p = 0.003) in the subgroup (n = 7) demonstrating a severe inhibition of platelet function with heparin. Aprotinin significantly reduced the binding of tritium-labeled heparin to both nonactivated (n = 25) (p = 0.004) and activated platelets (n = 25) (p < 0.0001). We conclude that interference with heparin-induced inhibition of platelet function by aprotinin may be one of its hemostatic actions in cardiac surgery. This effect is probably secondary to aprotinin reducing binding of heparin to platelets.