Laboratory control of minimal heparinization during haemodialysis in patients with a risk of haemorrhage

Abstract For patients undergoing dialysis with a high risk of haemorrhage there is no standardized procedure for anticoagulation during extracorporeal circulation. Minimal heparinization with a dose equivalent to half that used for chronic haemodialysis was employed in 49 patients (125 haemodialyses) performed after operative interventions (83.3%), after haemorrhagic events (5.2%) and after invasive investigations (11.5%). Using a biocompatible membrane and a low molecular weight heparin (bolus dose 500-1300 U; continuous infusion 100-400 U) it was possible to complete haemodialysis in 74 cases (Group 0) without clots appearing in the venous bubble trap of the tubing system. In 30 cases (Gr…