The rationale for, and role of, heparin in peritoneal dialysis

The administration of intraperitoneal (IP) heparin enjoys time-honored use and is felt to be side-effect free. It is administered whenever fibrin is detected in the dialysate effluent. It is believed that there is no absorption of heparin across the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this article was to review the rationale behind the administration of IP heparin, to show that absorption and side effects may occur; and to present recent evidence that questions the routine use of this drug as an additive to dialysate fluid.