Bayer begins Phase III study of Trasylol

WEST HAVEN, Mass., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. in West Haven, Mass., has announced initiation of a Phase III clinical trial involving Trasylol (aprotinin injection).

Trasylol is designed to reduce blood loss and the need for transfusion in adult patients undergoing elective spinal fusion surgery.

Bayer scientists say patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery are subject to a blood transfusion rate that may be six times greater than that required by patients undergoing spinal surgery without fusion.

"Blood loss can be a significant complication of spine surgery," said Dr. Michael Neuwirth, lead investigator and director of the Spine Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston. "Combined with the potential health risks associated with transfusions and the rising cost of blood products, there is a great need to reduce bleeding in this surgical setting."

In April 2005, Bayer announced the start of a Phase III study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Trasylol in reducing blood loss during hip replacement surgery.