Low molecular weight heparins as thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing hemodialysis/hemofiltration or continuous renal replacement therapies.

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) have potential advantages over unfractionated heparin (UFH). They interact less with platelets and may induce less bleeding. The risk for heparin induced thrombocytopenia is less, and the effect on serum lipids is favourable. The half-life is longer, allowing for one single bolus dose at start of hemodialysis (HD). In addition, LMWH is found to result in lower plasma potassium in HD patients compared to UFH. LMWHs have an established role in HD and hemofiltration (HF), but the reports on their efficacy and safety during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are scarce.