Decreased platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin (epoprostenol) during hemodialysis

Evidence is accumulating that activation of platelets occurs during conventional hemodialysis. In ten uremic patients, the ADP-induced platelet aggregation and the platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin (PGI2) were examined before and after 120 and 240 minutes of dialysis. The ADP-induced aggregation was enhanced during dialysis reaching statistical significance after 240 minutes compared to predialysis values. The platelet sensitivity to PGI2 was significantly diminished during dialysis. Our results are in agreement with the concept of platelet activation during hemodialysis and lend support to the clinical use of PGI2 during hemodialysis.