Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
The course of anticoagulation after extracorporeal photochemotherapy
E Ivancic1, R Knobler, P Quehenberger
1Department of Dermatology, Division of Special and Environmental Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. erika.ivancic-brandenburger@meduniwien.ac.at
Abstract:
During extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) heparin is added to the extracorporeal circulation to avoid clotting. It has not been investigated whether and to what extend this procedure influences coagulation in patients after ECP. In this study activated partial thrombaplastin time (aPTT) and anti-factor Xa were monitored for up to 4 h after ECP in 10 patients. We found that anticoagulation followed the typical course of intravenously applied heparin: immediately after reinfusion anti-Xa was high (>1 IU/ml) and aPTT was prolonged to more than 180 s followed by a rapid decline and reaching normal values within 3-4 h in all patients. We conclude that anticoagulation and increased risk of bleeding after ECP is confined to a short period immediately following treatment. Physicians using ECP should be aware of the course of anticoagulation associated with this treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

