title: Local hirudin application--an aid in preventing occlusion of an arteriovenous fistula in dialysis patients?
abstract: In this pilot study we tested the effect of an ointment containing hirudin in a high concentration [20,000 ATU (anti-thrombin units)/100 g ointment] in ten patients on maintenance haemodialysis (six men, four women: mean age: 51 years; mean duration of dialysis treatment: 20.4 months). The duration of hirudin application was 4.5 months, the observation period in the total group was 43 months. During the total dialysis period of 204 months - before hirudin application - in these ten patients a shunt thrombectomy was necessary 18 times because of shunt occlusion. A shunt-thrombosis occurred in none of the ten patients during the period of application of the hirudin-containing ointment.
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D005260:Female; D024764:Hirudin Therapy; D006629:Hirudins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D006629:Hirudins; D009824:Ointments