The Effect of Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid on HemoSTATUS® and Kaolin-Activated Clotting Time Measurements

New point-of-care assays have been used to identify patients with heparin resistance (i.e. heparin dose response test; Medtronic Blood Management, Parker, CO) and who have platelet dysfunction (i.e. HemoSTATUS®; Medtronic Blood Management). We examined the effect of epsilon-aminocaproic acid on results from these two point-of-care tests in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Twenty patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgical procedures were enrolled in this prospective study. HemoSTATUS® clot ratio (% maximal) values in Channels (Ch) 3–6 (Ch 326 ± 25, Ch 466 ± 23, Ch 584 ± 20, Ch 6106 ± 18) obtained after the IV administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid were similar to values obtained before the administration of this agent (Ch 326 ± 20, Ch 469 ± 23, Ch 586 ± 19, Ch 6109 ± 14). Slope values (86 ± 23 s · U · mL) and projected heparin concentrations (4 ± 1 U/mL) obtained before the administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid were similar to slope values (88 ± 21 s · U · mL) and projected heparin concentrations (4 ± 1 U/mL) values obtained after administration of this agent. Our data indicate that HemoSTATUS® clot ratio values and heparin dose response values are not significantly affected after IV dosing of epsilon-aminocaproic acid. IMPLICATIONSValues from two activated coagulation time-based test systems used to identify significant heparin resistance or platelet dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass were not significantly affected by epsilon-aminocaproic acid administered IV.