Aminocaproic-acid seal to reduce or prevent bleeding after liver biopsy

This study investigates the efficacy of an aminocaproic-acid seal to prevent or reduce the risk of bleeding attendant to liver biopsies. The simple technique of occluding the biopsy tract by injecting 1-2 mL of aminocaproic acid, a fibrinolysis inhibitor, while withdrawing the biopsy sheath appears to reduce substantially the risk of delayed bleeding. The technique may be most useful if large core biopsy needles must be used to provide an adequate specimen.