Comparison of HYDROLINK and HeprAN Membranes to Reduce Heparin Use During Hemodialysis in Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease

What this Trial Is About

Chronic kidney disease CKD causes ongoing and irreversible damage to the kidneys, often requiring replacement therapies like hemodialysis or kidney transplant. Hemodialysis, the main treatment, can trigger blood clotting that disrupts the treatment session, leading to less effective dialysis and blood loss, especially in patients who commonly have anemia and bleeding risks due to their kidney condition and related medications. To address this, membranes coated with heparin, like the HeprAN22 membrane, have been developed to reduce the need for anticoagulants during dialysis sessions, lowering bleeding risks. The HYDROLINK22 membrane offers a similar advantage but works without heparin, potentially avoiding related complications. This research compares the HYDROLINK22 membrane with the HeprAN22 membrane in a large trial aiming to reduce the dose of heparin used during dialysis to lower bleeding risk. Eligible patients aged 18 and over, on chronic hemodialysis three times a week for at least three months, will participate. The study uses a crossover design where each patient undergoes dialysis sessions with both membranes in different sequences to directly compare their effects. Participants will receive dialysis with the assigned membrane and have their sessions monitored for success without the use of heparin over a four-week period. Researchers will assess the number of successful hemodialysis sessions without heparin and monitor safety and treatment tolerability. The study involves regular hemodialysis sessions and ongoing evaluation to understand if the membranes help minimize anticoagulant use while maintaining effective dialysis treatment.

Comparison of HYDROLINK™ and HeprAN™ mEmbranes in a Per Dialytic Heparin Weaning Strategy in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients