A single-chain polypeptide derived from bovine
tissues consisting of 58 amino-acid residues. It is an inhibitor of proteolytic
enzymes including
chymotrypsin; KALLIKREIN;
plasmin; and TRYPSIN. It is used in the treatment of
hemorrhage associated with raised
plasma concentrations of
plasmin. It is also used to reduce
blood loss and transfusion requirements in
patients at high
risk of major
blood loss during and following open
heart surgery with
extracorporeal circulation. (Reynolds JEF(Ed): Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia (electronic version). Micromedex, Inc, Englewood, CO, 1995)