Clinical Trial of Epsiton-atninocaproic Acid in Severe Haemophilia

Abstract

The results of a controlled clinical trial of epsilon-amino-caproic acid (E.A.C.A.) on 10 high-grade haemophiliacs are described. Although the total “ scores ” assigned to haemoirhagic events was lower during a six-week period of E.A.C.A. therapy than in corresponding six-week phases of placebo medication and no medication respectively, the observed differences do not quite achieve the conventionally accepted level of statistical significance. An appreciable reduction of spontaneous bleeding episodes was recorded during the administration of E.A.C.A. No rise in antihaemophilic globulin (factor VIII) was demonstrated in any of the patients during E.A.C.A. therapy, nor were any significant changes observed in plasminogen and fibrinogen levels, or plasma a., cy„ B, or y globulins. No abnormalities of marrow or liver function were detected during E.A.C.A. administration. It is considered that the results warrant further large-scale study of E.A.C.A. at the clinical level in haemophilia, and the view is expressed that the drug or another fibrinolytic inhibitor —for example, the more potent aminoacid, aminomethyl cyclohexane carboxylic acid—may be of prophylactic value in the clinical management of high-grade haemophilia. © 1965, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.