Nadroparin Anticoagulation for Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration

The low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) nadroparin is used for anticoagulation of the extracorporeal hemofiltration circuit. LMWH accumulate in patients with chronic renal failure. Continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) is a renal replacement modality for intensive care patients with acute renal failure. Up to now it is not known whether nadroparin is removed by hemofiltration or not. If not, accumulation is expected and the risk of bleeding for the patient increases. Because critically ill patients are at increased risk of bleeding, this question is crucial.

If nadroparin would be removed by filtration, removal is expected to depend on hemofiltration dose (to be greater with a higher dose)

We therefore designed a randomized controlled cross-over trial in the setting of critical illness and acute renal failure comparing the anticoagulant effect of nadroparin (anti-Xa) between two doses of CVVH in the patients blood, in the extracorporeal circuit and in the ultrafiltrate.

Because hemostasis in critically ill patients is not only influenced by anticoagulation but also by the critical illness and the extracorporeal circuit, we also measure other hemostatic markers, especially the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), which seems the most global marker of hemostasis, incorporating procoagulant and anticoagulant effects.

Inclusion criteria

• acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy

Exclusion criteria

• (recent) bleeding or a suspicion of bleeding necessitating transfusion,
• need of therapeutic anticoagulation or
• (suspected) heparin-induced thrombocytopenia