Evidence mapPaperPMID 41621041Full record

SynthesisInternational urology and nephrology2026

Anticoagulation approaches in hemodialysis: a systematic review of efficacy, safety, and literature gap.

Areej I Alhazmi

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International urology and nephrology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Areej I AlhazmiDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. aialhazmi@kau.edu.sa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-3544-9355

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeAnticoagulation is essential in hemodialysis (HD) to maintain circuit patency and reduce thromboembolic risk. Common options include unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA), and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). This review synthesizes current evidence on these agents in HD, emphasizing efficacy, safety, cost, administration, and remaining knowledge gaps.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidance and predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Interventions included DOACs, LMWH, UFH, RCA, nafamostat, and heparin-free strategies. Typical comparators were VKAs, saline flush protocols, or other anticoagulant classes. Eligible studies reported at least one outcome of interest: circuit patency, bleeding events, cost effectiveness, or identified gaps in the literature.

resultsDOACs particularly apixaban and rivaroxaban demonstrated efficacy comparable to VKAs for thromboembolic prevention. UFH and LMWH showed similar effectiveness in maintaining circuit patency, and RCA and nafamostat provided alternatives for patients at high bleeding risk. Safety profiles generally favored DOACs and RCA, with lower rates of major bleeding than warfarin and UFH/LMWH. Practical considerations indicated that UFH was often the most cost-effective option, whereas DOACs offered the convenience of oral administration at higher drug costs. Important evidence gaps persist, including limited long term comparative studies and few placebo-controlled trials.

conclusionAnticoagulant selection in HD should balance efficacy, safety, cost, administration, and monitoring, tailored to patient risk profiles and institutional resources. Future research should prioritize head-to-head comparisons, long term outcomes, cost effectiveness, and the effects of anticoagulation strategies on dialysis adequacy to support more precise clinical decision making.

Indexed as

AnticoagulantsRenal DialysisThromboembolismEvidence GapsHeparinHeparin, Low-Molecular-WeightHumansTreatment OutcomeAnticoagulantsHeparinHeparin, Low-Molecular-WeightAnticoagulationCircuit patencyHemodialysisThromboembolic event

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.