Why kidney failure may lead to complications

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

The use of the anticoagulant heparin may lead to complications among those with kidney failure.
People on dialysis for kidney problems have a higher than expected mortality rate. This has been investigated by researchers at the Mayo Clinic who believe that the use of the anticoagulant, heparin, may be a contributory factor.

Heparin is used in dialysis patients because otherwise their blood may clot in the dialysis machine. In this study, patients who had high levels of antibodies to heparin had a higher mortality rate than those who did not have detectable antibodies. The reason for this is not yet clear. However, it may prove useful to check patients' blood for levels of heparin antibodies, as this could pinpoint those who are most at risk of complications. They could then be offered more support. There is, at present, no alternative to heparin for dialysis patients - maybe these findings could help stimulate more research into anticoagulants.

Source
Mayo Clinic Proceedings August 2005

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