Fixed Low-dose Heparin Versus Standard Adjusted-dose Heparin Infusion in Adults Receiving Venovenous ECMO With a Heparin Bonded Circuit.

Summary

Heparin is a blood thinner used to prevent blood clots in patients on a form of life-support called ECMO. Heparin can cause bleeding - the most common complication of ECMO. New materials used in ECMO machines may help prevent clots - this could allow the use of lower doses of heparin which might reduce the risk of bleeding. Our study will compare low dose to high dose heparin in patients on ECMO. We think low dose heparin may be adequate to prevent clotting, but may cause less bleeding and be safer for patients.

Timeline

Start

2016-12

Primary completion

2020-12

Completion

2021-02

Publications

• Background Esper SA, Levy JH, Waters JH, Welsby IJ. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the adult: a review of anticoagulation monitoring and transfusion. Anesth Analg. 2014 Apr;118(4):731-43. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000000115.
• Background Poulos EM, Raschke R, Amabile O et al. A Nonrandomized comparison of three different heparin infusion strategies for patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014;189: A4499.

Drugs

Indications