Key result
Epoprostenol sodium resulted in similar dialyzer function to heparin, with intradialytic symptoms occurring in 100% of epoprostenol dialyses versus 88% of heparin dialyses.
Why the study?
Does epoprostenol sodium provide safe and effective anticoagulation compared to heparin sodium in dialysis patients?
RCT (n=30)
Does epoprostenol sodium provide safe and effective anticoagulation compared to heparin sodium in dialysis patients?
Epoprostenol sodium is a safe and effective alternative to heparin for anticoagulation during hemodialysis, despite a higher rate of intradialytic symptoms.
May support epoprostenol in heparin-intolerant dialysis; leaves open randomized confirmation of net benefit.
We performed a controlled parallel study comparing the effects of heparin sodium to epoprostenol sodium (prostacyclin sodium, Flolan) during hemodialysis in 30 dialysis patients. Mean fiber bundle volume loss and dialyzer function were similar with both anticoagulation methods. Intradialytic symptoms occurred in 100% of the epoprostenol dialyses and 88% of the heparin dialyses, but only 10/325 epoprostenol and 3/374 heparin dialysis were discontinued prematurely because of symptoms. Long-term hemodialysis with epoprostenol is safe and effective. Epoprostenol may be a suitable alternative to heparin in some dialysis settings.
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Caruana et al. (2008) conducted an RCT in Chronic hemodialysis (n=30). Epoprostenol sodium vs. Heparin sodium was evaluated on Intradialytic symptoms. Epoprostenol sodium resulted in similar dialyzer function to heparin, with intradialytic symptoms occurring in 100% of epoprostenol dialyses versus 88% of heparin dialyses.
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