Inflammatory modulation by intraoperative administration of anti-inflammatory substances has been advocated to attenuate the effects of SIRS. Attempts have subsequently focused on aprotinin which inhibits proteases that are key mediators in the complement, coagulation, and fibrinolytic system. Related anti-inflammatory properties of aprotinin include the inhibition of platelets, neutrophils and kallikrein activation. Reduction in blood loss and reduced need for allogenic blood transfusions have been proposed as additional mechanisms by which aprotinin limits the inflammatory response (2). The use of aprotinin during cardiac surgery, however, was discontinued following alarming results in terms of higher rate of bypass graft occlusion and overall inferior postoperative outcome.