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Anticoagulation in hemodialysis: A narrative review
Author(s) -
Claudel Sophie E.,
Miles Lauren A.,
Murea Mariana
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
seminars in dialysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1525-139X
pISSN - 0894-0959
DOI - 10.1111/sdi.12932
Subject(s) - medicine , dosing , heparin , intensive care medicine , hemodialysis , anticoagulant , dialysis , narrative review , extracorporeal , kidney disease , surgery
Systemic anticoagulation in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) has historically been considered necessary to maintain the extracorporeal circuit (ECC) and preserve dialysis efficiency. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the most commonly used anticoagulant due to low cost and staff familiarity. Despite widespread use, there is little standardization of heparin dosing protocols in the United States. Although the complication rates with UFH are low for the general population, certain contraindications have led to exploration in alternative anticoagulants in patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). Here we review the current evidence regarding heparin dosing protocols, complications associated with heparin use, and discuss alternatives to UFH including anticoagulant‐free routine HD.