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Antiplatelet Medications in Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review of Bleeding Rates

Swapnil Hiremath^*, Rachel M. Holden, Dean Fergusson, and Deborah L. Zimmerman^*

^* Division of Nephrology, University of Ottawa, Kidney Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Division of Nephrology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; and Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence: Dr. Swapnil Hiremath, Ottawa Hospital, Riverside Campus, 1967 Riverside Drive Ottawa, ON K1H 7W9. Phone: 613 738 8400, ext 82762; Fax: 613 738 8337; shiremath{at}toh.on.ca

Background and objectives: Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are often prescribed antiplatelet medications. However, these patients are also at increased risk of bleeding compared with the general population, and an aim was made to quantify this risk with antiplatelet agents.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: A systematic review of the literature (Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL and Google Scholar databases) was done to determine the bleeding risk in ESRD patients prescribed antiplatelet therapy. The secondary outcome was the effect on access thrombosis. All case series, cohort studies and clinical trials were considered if they included ten or more ESRD patients, assessed bleeding risk with antiplatelet agents, and lasted for more than 3 mo.

Results: Sixteen studies, including 40,676 patients, were identified that met predefined inclusion criteria. Due to study heterogeneity and weaknesses in methodology, bleeding rates were not pooled across studies. However, the bleeding risk appears to be increased for hemodialysis patients treated with combination antiplatelet therapy. The results are mixed for studies using a single antiplatelet agent. Antiplatelet agents appear to be effective in preventing shunt and central venous catheter thrombosis, but not for preventing thrombosis of arteriovenous grafts.

Conclusion: The risks and benefits of antiplatelet agents in ESRD patients remain poorly defined. Until a clinical trial addresses this in the dialysis population, individual risk stratification taking into account the increased risk of bleeding should be considered before initiating antiplatelet agents, especially in combination therapy.

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