Comparison of Citrate and Heparin Anticoagulation During Postdilution Hemodiafiltration (NCT07618858) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Comparison of Citrate and Heparin Anticoagulation During Postdilution Hemodiafiltration
Slovenia20 participantsStarted 2026-06-05
Plain-language summary
This randomized crossover clinical trial will compare regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) and standard heparin anticoagulation (HA) during postdilution hemodiafiltration (HDF) in chronic dialysis patients with end-stage kidney disease.
The primary aim of the study is to evaluate biocompatibility during HDF by measuring markers of complement activation (C3a), platelet activation (PF4), and coagulation activation (thrombin-antithrombin complex, TAT).
Secondary aims include comparison of solute removal efficiency, including beta-2 microglobulin, phosphate, and urea removal, as well as assessment of citrate, calcium, and magnesium kinetics during citrate anticoagulation.
Twenty adult chronic dialysis patients will undergo two study HDF procedures in randomized order: one procedure using heparin anticoagulation and one procedure using regional citrate anticoagulation with a one-week interval between procedures.
The study aims to improve understanding of the effects of anticoagulation methods on hemodiafiltration biocompatibility and dialysis efficiency and may contribute to optimization of citrate anticoagulation protocols in chronic hemodiafiltration patients.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18 years or older
* End-stage kidney disease requiring maintenance postdilution hemodiafiltration
* Stable chronic hemodialysis treatment three times weekly
* Functional arteriovenous fistula
Exclusion Criteria:
* Therapeutic anticoagulation therapy
* Dual antiplatelet therapy
* Significant coagulopathy
* Active bleeding
* Acute kidney injury
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is comparing citrate and heparin as anticoagulants during hemodiafiltration — can you explain the difference between these two options and whether one might be safer or better suited for me specifically?
2The trial is measuring biocompatibility markers like C3a, PF4, and TAT — can you help me understand what these markers tell us about how my blood reacts to the dialysis circuit, and why that matters for my long-term care?
3Since this trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' how long might it be before it opens, and would waiting to potentially participate affect my current treatment plan or the standard care I'd receive in the meantime?
4This trial involves postdilution hemodiafiltration specifically — is hemodiafiltration even an option for me right now, or am I currently on standard hemodialysis, and what would switching involve?
5Given that this trial has no assigned phase and is focused on comparing two existing anticoagulation approaches, is there already enough evidence about citrate versus heparin that my current dialysis regimen should be adjusted, or is this still an open question worth waiting to learn more about?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Biocompatibility markers (C3a, PF4, TAT)
Timeframe: Before hemodiafiltration, after 15 minutes of treatment, and immediately before the end of the procedure.