Hemodialysis using gabexate mesilate (FOY) in patients with a high bleeding risk

The efficacy of gabexate mesilate (FOY), a synthetic serine proteinase inhibitor, was compared with that of heparin in preventing the acceleration of bleeding after hemodialysis. Transfused blood volume (TBV) was measured 24 h before and after 24 dialyses in 14 bleeding patients with impaired hemostatic function. The predialysis TBV did not differ significantly between heparin and FOY groups; however, TBV was significantly (p less than .05) larger after heparin dialysis than after FOY dialysis. After dialysis, TBV was increased in eight of nine heparin patients, compared to only three of 15 FOY subjects (p less than .01). FOY is an effective agent and may decrease postdialysis bleeding complications in certain high-risk patients.