A low molecular heparin fraction as an anticoagulant during hemodialysis.

During 18 hemodialyses of patients with chronic uremia a low molecular weight heparin fraction (mean MW 5000 d) was used as an anticoagulant without complications. For comparison conventional heparin was used during 18 dialyses in the same patients. Equipotent doses, with regard to Xa inhibition of heparin and the 5000d fraction, suppressed FPA generation (fibrin formation) equally. The APT-times were less prolonged by the 5000d fraction. When the 5000d fraction was doubled in relation to conventional heparin with regard to Xa inhibition, the suppression of FPA generation was more effective than with conventional heparin, without more pronounced APTT prolongations. In conclusion this heparin fraction was found to be useful as an anticoagulant during hemodialysis and to give less pronounced APTT prolongation than conventional heparin.