Effect of aprotinin on renal dysfunction in patients undergoing on-pump and off-pump cardiac surgery: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Aprotinin is used during cardiac surgery for its blood-saving effects. However, reports suggest a possible association between use of this drug and increased renal dysfunction and mortality. We investigated the effect of aprotinin on renal dysfunction in cardiac surgery, considering the cofactors on-pump versus off-pump surgery and co-medication with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.