title: Low-dose heparin retention in temporary hemodialysis double-lumen catheter does not increase catheter occlusion and might reduce risk of bleeding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to assess the impact of heparin concentration retained in temporary double-lumen catheters on bleeding risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was measured in patients hemodialyzed via double-lumen catheters. Heparin solutions of 5,000 U/ml (group 1, n = 95) and 1,000 U/ml (group 2, n = 89) were randomly retained in catheters after placement and each hemodialysis (HD) session. Blood transfusion, bleeding episodes, and changes of hematocrit were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aPTT at the beginning of HD or 10 min after heparin lock was significantly prolonged, which was more prominent in the 5,000 U/ml group, whereas the aPTT declined to baseline values at the end of HD or before the next dialysis session in both groups. Infection and occlusion rates were similar in both groups. More patients suffered from major bleeding and prominent decline of hematocrit in the 5,000 U/ml group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose heparin (1,000 U/ml) retention in double-lumen catheters for temporary HD maintains comparable catheter patency and might reduce the bleeding risk.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, 386 Ta-Chung 1st Rd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hao-Huan
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Chih-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Hua-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Po-Tsang
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chien-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tsu-Yuan
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Wei-Chieh
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hsiao-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Kang-Ju
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002404:Catheterization; D057785:Catheters; D006400:Hematocrit; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin