The effect of the fibrinolytic inhibitor epsilonaminocaproic acid on the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis after prostatectomy

Sixty-two patients undergoing retropubic prostatectomy were examined for evidence of deep-vein thrombosis using the 125I-fibrinogen technique. Patients were allocated randomly into two groups. The first grops was given the fibrinolytic inhibitor epsilonminocaproic acid (EACA) during the perioperative period, while the second group of patients acted as a control. The administration of EACA did not increase the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis after prostatectomy. This finding is discussed together with the possible role of the fibrinolytic system i postoperative venous thrombo-embolic disease.