A Prospective Study of Airless Tubing in an Inpatient Acute Hemodialysis Unit in Hospitalized Patients

The introduction of unfractionated heparin (UFH), which prevents clotting of the extracorporal circuit, was one of the key advances that led to the rapid development and expansion of hemodialysis services. However, anticoagulation during hemodialysis of the patient at high risk for bleeding remains a frequently encountered problem in both inpatient and outpatient dialysis practice. Streamline bloodlines are designed to eliminate blood-air contact. This is thought to help reduce heparin use and decrease clotting rates. The goal of this study was to prospectively examine impact of the Streamline airless blood tubing set, in an inpatient setting, on dialysis circuit clotting rates, anticoagulation use, and dialysis efficiency.