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Regional citrate anticoagulation in continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration using commercial solutions

Olivier Cointault1, Nassim Kamar, Pierre Bories

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, CHU Toulouse-Rangueil, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.

Insights

Regional citrate anticoagulation effectively prevents clotting during continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in critically ill patients. This method offers an alternative to heparin but incurs higher costs, making it suitable for those with high bleeding risks.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Regional citrate anticoagulation is an effective method for anticoagulation during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).
  • This study evaluates the efficacy, safety, and cost of a regional citrate anticoagulation protocol using commercial solutions in critically ill patients undergoing continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration (CVVHDF).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy and safety of regional citrate anticoagulation for CVVHDF.
  • To determine the cost-effectiveness of this citrate protocol compared to traditional anticoagulation methods.

Main Methods:

  • A citrate solution (112.9 mmol/l disodium citrate) was administered pre-filter at a median rate of 260 ml/h.
  • Post-filtered ionized calcium was maintained between 0.25-0.4 mmol/l, with plasma calcium >1.1 mmol/l maintained via calcium chloride infusion.
  • Dialysate and replacement solutions were delivered at 1200 ml/h, with biological parameters monitored every 6 hours over 48-hour sessions.

Main Results:

  • Mean dialyser survival was 39 +/- 11 hours, with 18% experiencing dialyser clotting.
  • No bleeding events or significant modifications in coagulation parameters were observed.
  • The citrate protocol incurred an additional cost of 25 euro/day compared to heparin anticoagulation.

Conclusions:

  • An efficient regional citrate anticoagulation method for CVVHDF using commercial solutions was developed.
  • Patient monitoring intensity was comparable to heparin anticoagulation.
  • Due to higher costs, this citrate protocol is recommended primarily for patients at high risk of bleeding.
Abstract

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