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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Dec 2.
Published in final edited form as: Semin Dial. 2010 Sep-Oct;23(5):510–515. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-139X.2010.00770.x

TABLE 2.

Adverse effects of heparin

Comment
Osteoporosis Proven for continuous use (e.g., DVT treatment in pregnancy) in non-CKD patient; unknown if intermittent use for hemodialysis aggravates the other causes of ESRD bone disease
Hyperlipidemia Heparin (UFH and LMWH) releases and depletes endothelium-bound lipoprotein lipase causing hypertriglyceridemia
Aldosterone suppression Promotesmodest interdialytic rise in serum potassium concentration, UFH > LMWH. Not a clinical issue for otherwise stable patient
Allergic reaction Immediate hypersensitivity (Type I) to heparin can be confused with other systemic reactions (e.g., to dialyzer)
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) Antibody-mediated (Type II) reaction leading to platelet activation with arterial and venous thrombosis