Anticoagulation in Haemodialysis

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Anticoagulation in hemodialysis is targeted to prevent activation of coagulation cascade during the procedure. Adequate anticoagulation requires basic knowledge of principles of haemostasis and the pharmacotherapeutics of the various drugs available. Commonly used anticoagulant is unfractionated heparin, followed by low-molecular-weight heparin preparations. Danaparoid, lepirudin, and argatroban are currently being used for alternative anticoagulation, all of which have specific advantages and disadvantages. Strategies for avoiding exposure to heparin are applied for patients at bleeding risk, alternatives include regional citrate anticoagulation.