Letter: Epsilon-aminocaproic acid and subarachnoid haemorrhage

Comparative clinical trial of epsilon amino-caproic acid and tranexamic acid in the prevention of early recurrence of subarachnoid haemorrhage

A comparative controlled clinical trial of epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), 36 g/day and tranexamic acid (TEA), 6 g/day, was undertaken to assess their effectiveness in reducing early recurrence of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Of 90 patients treated with EACA recurrent haemorrhage was seen in 8% of these patients and 7% of the patients developed delayed ischaemic deficit. The total pre-operative mortality in EACA-group was 11%. Of 61 patients treated with TEA, 10% had recurrent haemorrhage and delayed ischaemic deficit occurred in 5% of the patients. The total pre-operative mortality in TEA-group was 11%. No difference was found between the effectiveness and side-effects of these drugs.

Prevention of early recurrence of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage by epsilon-aminocaproic acid

A controlled clinical trial of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (E.A.C.A.), 36 g/day, was undertaken to assess its effectiveness in reducing immediate recurrence in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (S.A.H.) proved by lumbar puncture. Of 83 patients treated with E.A.C.A., 3 (4%) had recurrent haemorrhage, and 1 (33%) of these died. Of 82 control patients who were not given any antifibrinolytic drug, 22 (26%) had recurrent haemorrhage, and 10 (45%) of these patients died. E.A.C.A. produced a striking reduction in the early recurrence of S.A.H. No serious side-effect resulted.