Variable response of activated partial thromboplastin time to heparin therapy during hemodialysis.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology
M M Bern

Abstract

The consistency of the anticoagulant effect of intravenously administered heparin was studied. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was measured for six patients hourly during three consecutive hemodialysis sessions each. Cephaloplastin was the plasma-activating agent. The time required to form a clot was measured by a light-sensitive electronic timer and confirmed within +/- 5% by the tilt tube method. Results are reported in second relative to units of heparin given to patients per kilogram body weight. The range of APTT's measured 55 minutes after each heparin dose greatly exceeded the range of technical variability of the assay method. The probably mechanisms and consequences for this variability after a constant heparin dose are discussed. The anticoagulation effect of heparin during hemodialysis in an otherwise stable clinical situation is not constant. The risks of having too much or too little anticoagulation are not eliminated by having determined a therapeutic heparin dose during one dialysis rung.

Citations

Feb 1, 1980·Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·M M BernG Lukas
Jan 1, 1981·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·R C BishopS P Pochron
Oct 1, 1979·Kidney International·R D Swartz, F K Port

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Blood Clotting Disorders

Thrombophilia includes conditions with increased tendency for excessive blood clotting. Blood clotting occurs when the body has insufficient amounts of specialized proteins that make blood clot and stop bleeding. Here is the latest research on blood clotting disorders.