Effects of Low Molecular Weight Heparin on the Frequencies of Intradialytic Arrhythmias in Hemodialysis Patients

Arrhythmia is known to cause sudden death in hemodialysis patients. Heparin administration releases lipoprotein lipase from the capillary endothelial cell surface, resulting in an increase in the plasma levels of free fatty acids; higher levels of free fatty acids may affect the occurrence of arrhythmias. This study assessed whether the occurrence of arrhythmias during hemodialysis could be suppressed by replacing unfractionated heparin with low molecular weight heparin. Ten dialysis patients who had supraventricular premature contraction and/or ventricular premature contraction were monitored by the Holter electrocardiograph system during hemodialysis. To investigate the effect of each form of heparin on plasma lipid metabolism, the lipoprotein lipase and lipid levels before and during hemodialysis were measured. The occurrence of arrhythmias was significantly suppressed in hemodialysis using low molecular weight heparin, as compared with hemodialysis using unfractionated heparin. Lower lipoprotein lipase and free fatty acids levels were also observed in hemodialysis using low molecular weight heparin. The authors concluded that hemodialysis using low molecular weight heparin instead of unfractionated heparin could be effective in protecting hemodialysis patients with arrhythmias against arrhythmia-related cardiac events.