Abstract
Objective: To compare nafamostat mesilate (NM) and heparin as anticoagulant drugs for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Method: Filter life, bleeding complications and cost were compared retrospectively for patients treated with NM (from April 2003 to March 2004, Period 1) and those treated with heparin (from April 2004 to March 2005, Period 2). Result: Fifty filters were used in Period 1 and 101 filters were used in Period 2. Filter life was significantly longer in Period 1 (34.6 hours) compared to Period 2 (18.6 hours). There was no bleeding complication during both periods. Requirement of blood transfusion was also similar between the two periods. The cost in Period 1 was greater than in Period 2, with a difference of more than fifty thousand yens per day. Conclusion: CRRT with NM had a longer filter life, the same bleeding complication rate and a higher cost compared to heparin.
