Studies in Regional Heparinization

Abstract

WHEN artificial-kidney hemodialysis is performed, the patient is ordinarily heparinized to prevent activation of the coagulation mechanism as the blood passes through the extracorporeal circuit. The use of this anticoagulant is largely responsible for the fact that active uncontrollable bleeding, particularly from the gastrointestinal tract, remains the only absolute contraindication to the use of the artificial kidney.1 2 3 4 In the first part of this report5 it was demonstrated that a very prolonged clotting time could be achieved in a part of the circulation without appreciably affecting the clotting time in the remainder of the circulation. One of us (E.R.S.) suggested that . . .