Why the study?
Despite widespread use of UFH in maintenance hemodialysis, heparin dosing protocols lack standardization in the United States, and contraindications necessitate alternatives in ESKD.
This narrative review summarizes current evidence on heparin dosing protocols, complications, and alternatives for anticoagulation in maintenance hemodialysis.
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Clinicians may consult this synthesis for heparin anticoagulation guidance in hemodialysis; leaves open optimal protocols and alternatives for prospective trials.
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.
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Claudel et al. (2020) studied this question.
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