Prostacyclin can replace heparin in haemodialysis in dogs.

Despite the use of heparin, activation of platelets on the artificial surface of dialyser membranes results in thrombus formation, microembolisation, and thrombocytopenia. To assess the effects on these events of prostacyclin, the most potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation yet discovered, three groups of healthy greyhounds were dialysed with heparin, heparin plus prostacyclin, or prostacyclin alone. Prostacyclin, either alone or with heparin, abolished microembolisation from the dialyser (as estimated by whole-blood screen filtration pressure) and prevented thrombocytopenia. With prostacyclin, dialysis could be carried out without heparin, and there was no clotting of blood within the extracorporeal circuit nor any change in tests of coagulation.