The conflict between anticoagulation and hemostasis during hemodialysis

Anticoagulation with comparatively small amounts of heparin has been carried out in more than 3,000 acute and chronic hemodialysis procedures without problems. In a selected high risk group of postoperative and polytrauma patients no patient hemorrhages have occurred, nor have there been any clotting problems in the dialyser circuit. Studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of coagulation and anticoagulation in the extracorporeal environment have been performed. Minimal intermittent heparin administration based on plastic anticoagulation monitoring with the APTT method, has proven to be particularly safe.