Controlled Study of Heparin versus Epoprostenol Sodium (Prostacyclin) as the Sole Anticoagulant for Chronic Hemodialysis

Abstract

We performed a controlled parallel study comparing the effects of heparin sodium to epoprostenol sodium (prostacyclin sodium, Flolan) during hemodialysis in 30 dialysis patients. Mean fiber bundle volume loss and dialyzer function were similar with both anticoagulation methods. Intradialytic symptoms occurred in 100% of the epoprostenol dialyses and 88% of the heparin dialyses, but only 10/325 epoprostenol and 3/374 heparin dialysis were discontinued prematurely because of symptoms. Long-term hemodialysis with epoprostenol is safe and effective. Epoprostenol may be a suitable alternative to heparin in some dialysis settings.