Trasylol: Patients Seeking Medical Records

Rocky River, OHMichael F. says he is not sure whether or not Trasylol was used during his father's open heart surgery. However, after viewing the 60 Minutes segment on Trasylol, Michael realized that the show described exactly what his father went through.

Seven years ago, Michael's father had triple bypass surgery. Prior to going into the hospital, he had no kidney problems. Within a week, Michael's father was on dialysis because of kidney failure and he was not released from the hospital for over a month. Eight days after leaving the hospital for a hospice, Michael's father died.

"I'm not going to blame the doctors or the hospital," Michael says. "From what I understand, they need to get Trasylol off the market. You always wonder when something like this happens. All of a sudden, to have open heart surgery and then your kidneys fail...you just never know."

Richard C. (not his real name) is also unsure whether or not Trasylol was used in his surgery. He says that he has been told it was likely used and is having his medical records checked to find out for sure.

In June 1998, Richard underwent quadruple bypass surgery. Richard is not entirely sure what happened next, because he says he was not conscious the whole time he was in hospital. What he does know is that approximately two to three days after his open heart surgery he was diagnosed with kidney failure.

He says his wife visited him in the hospital and he was hooked up to machines, but is foggy about the rest of the details. Richard was in hospital for 22 days following his surgery. At the time, his kidneys actually improved and he was released from the hospital. However, in March 2005, Richard's kidneys failed again. Richard now has dialysis three times a week for four hours each time.

Patients who experienced kidney problems shortly after open heart surgery may have experienced a negative side effect of the use of Trasylol. Because the drug is used during surgery to lower the need for a blood transfusion, many patients do not realize they have been given Trasylol. However, serious health problems following open heart surgery, such as kidney failure, may indicate that Trasylol has been used.

Patients who were affected by Trasylol and people whose loved ones died of kidney failure following open heart surgery are now investigating a lawsuit against Bayer, alleging the company knew about the risks of Trasylol but did not adequately warn the public.