How To Find Out If Trasylol Was Used During Open Heart Surgery
One of the biggest questions people have when they or a family member have suffered side effects such as kidney failure, stroke or a heart attack following open heart surgery is how to find out whether or not Trasylol was used during the surgery. Patients who underwent bypass surgery most often do not know what medications were used during the surgery because their surgeon made the decision of whether to use Trasylol based on the risk of excessive blood loss during the procedure.
Looking at the hospital records associated with the surgery is the best place to find out whether Trasylol was used. Alternatively, you can also look at the hospital billing statement to see if Trasylol (also referred to as “Aprotinin”) is listed under the charges. Under federal law called the “HIPAA Privacy Rule” you have the right to see and receive a copy of your medical records. Typically after requesting your medical records you should receive them within 30 days of the time of request.
Common Questions:
Q: Is there a charge for requesting my medical records?
A: The hospital or medical provider is able under the law to charge a fee for retrieving and copying the requested medical records. Because of this, it is important to initially request only a limited number of surgery records to help lessen the charges associated with the request. In some situations the records can number into several hundred or thousands of pages depending on the specific circumstances. This can translate into a retrieval and copying bill of several hundred to over a thousand dollars since many medical providers charge one or more dollars per page of medical records.
Q: Can I request the medical records on behalf of a family member or friend?
A: Generally, you are only able to request your own medical records. Another person is able to grant another person permission to request their medical records, however his must be done in writing or in certain circumstances a legal guardian must be appointed by the court.
Q: Am I able to request the medical records of a person who has died?
A: Typically, the person who is able to request the medical records of a person who is deceased is the personal representative of the deceased who has been designated by a will or a court has appointed the person. The key to requesting medical records of a person that has died is to include documentation along with request showing you are entitled to access the medical records.
It is a good idea to have the records reviewed by someone who can correctly interpret the records and if there is any doubt contact a medical professional or attorney who can help you in requesting and reviewing the appropriate records.
An attorney at Fields Law Firm is available to answer any questions you may have regarding how to find out if Trasylol was used during heart surgery. We will also request copies of your medical records or family member’s records at no cost to you in order to help find out if Trasylol was used.
For more information please visit our Trasylol lawsuits information website.
As the results of more studies are published, the evidence is continuing to show the problem of Trasylol kidney failure following heart surgery. Patients and families around the country are filing Trasylol lawsuits as the public becomes more aware of Bayer’s heart surgery drug side effects. Trasylol has recently been linked to a higher risk of kidney damage, heart attack, and death in the five years following a patient undergoing bypass heart surgery. 
Trasylol, an expensive medication given to heart surgery bypass patients during their surgical procedure to help prevent excessive bleeding may have caused staggering numbers of heart failure, kidney failure and strokes. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery were unaware that Trasylol, a medication manufactured by Bayer, has been found in clinical studies to lead to greater risk of death, stroke, and acute kidney failure. 
Following the Trasylol study Blood conservation using antifibrinolytics: A randomized trial in a cardiac surgery population (BART) published in the May 14, 2008online issue of The New England Journal of Medicine study, Bayer decided to remove the remaining supplies of Trasylol from hospitals. This is the latest in a growing number of studies showing the dangers of Trasylol. In November 2007, Bayer agreed to suspend marketing their heart surgery drug Trasylol (aprotinin) after preliminary results from a Canadian study that revealed an increased risk of death for patients given Trasylol during bypass surgery. 