title: The rationale for, and role of, heparin in peritoneal dialysis.
abstract: The administration of intraperitoneal (i.p.) heparin enjoys time-honored use and is felt to be side-effect free. It is administered whenever fibrin is detected in the dialysate effluent. It is believed that there is no absorption of heparin across the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this article was to review the rationale behind the administration of i.p. heparin, to show that absorption and side effects may occur, and to present recent evidence that questions the routine use of this drug as an additive to dialysate fluid.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, University Hospital and Clinics, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saran
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khanna
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin