title: Long-term use of low-molecular-weight heparin in hemodialysis patients: a 7-year experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH) is not routinely used as anticoagulant in hemodialysis (HD). The ideal dose and the safety of long-term use are not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective three-phase interventional study. Phase 1 involved dose titration, phase 2 safety and efficacy and phase 3 routine practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 7 years of the use of the LMWH enoxaparin (EN), 236 patients were treated with a total number of 60,987 HD sessions. The mean dose used during the titration phase was 0.43 +/- 0.16 mg/kg/session, which was subsequently reduced in phase 3 to 0.36 +/- 0.14 mg/kg/session. The long-term effects of EN on the platelet count and lipid profile were comparable to unfractionated heparin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The long-term use of LMWH (EN) with a reduced dose in HD is practical and safe.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, Tawam Hospital - Johns Hopkins Medicine, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. bassambernieh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bernieh
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Boobes
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Al Hakim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abouchacra
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dastoor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D017984:Enoxaparin