A Comparison of Dilute Versus Concentrated Heparin for CRRT Anticoagulation
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2016-04-03
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Heparin is commonly used for anticoagulation of the extracorporeal circuit during continuous
renal replacement therapy (CRRT) but the optimal mode of delivery has not yet been validated.
Our study will compare dilute heparin to a standard concentration of heparin. The
investigators hypothesize that heparin delivered in a dilute solution will augment coating of
the filter fibers with anticoagulants, decreasing clotting events and increasing filter life.
By improving delivery of heparin to the filter and circuit, where clotting events can disrupt
dialysis, less heparin would be required for the extra-corporeal circuit and thus less
heparin would be delivered back to the patient with blood return from the machine. By
exposing the patient to less heparin it is hypothesized that fewer bleeding events would
occur, making the dialysis treatment safer. If more of the filter's fibers remain patent and
the filter is functional for a longer period of time, the CRRT would also be more effective.