Autologous fibrin tissue adhesive biodegration and systemic effects

Abstract
A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the rate of Autologous Fibrin Tissue Adhesive (AFTA) degradation by the fibrinolysis inhibitor, epsilon amino caproic acid (EACA). The duration of AFTA clots in vitro, subcutaneous, and in the middle ear was prolonged for a time interval that was proportional to the concentration of EACA in Component II of the adhesive. No toxic reactions were observed in the middle or inner ear. Systemic pathology (thrombosis or emboli) could not be related to the presence of EACA applied in the middle ear or directly into the blood stream at concentrations (mg/kg body weight) up to 1,500 times that expected to occur during surgery on humans.