Acute Effect of Heparin on Lipid Parameters in Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy

Dialyzer membrane and the type of heparin used can influence lipid parameters. However, there are limited and debatable data concerning lipid alterations during a single hemodialysis session. Moreover, the role of hemoconcentration after every hemodialysis session confuses the real effect of the heparin on lipid profile. We investigated the acute effect of heparin administration on lipids in hemodialysis patients, but on an off-hemodialysis day in order to eliminate any effect of ultrafiltration. We studied six patients on hemodialysis, six patients on peritoneal dialysis, and six healthy persons. The study was performed in two phases (1 week apart). In phase A, we used unfractionated heparin (5000 IU, intravenous), whereas in phase B, low-molecular-weight heparin (3500 anti-FXa, intravenous) was used. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and Lp(a) were estimated before and 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after heparin administration. We observed a reduction only in triglycerides (at the first, second, and third hour) in both phases in all groups. The other lipid parameters were not affected. In conclusion, acute administration of both types of heparin seems to affect only triglyceride levels in patients on renal replacement therapy.