nafamostat + heparin

nafamostat + heparin is a combination anticoagulation strategy being evaluated for the management of patients with severe respiratory failure requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This regimen, investigated by Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, combines nafamostat mesylate, a synthetic serine protease inhibitor, with low-dose systemic unfractionated heparin. Nafamostat provides regional anticoagulation within the ECMO circuit by inhibiting various serine proteases, including thrombin, factor Xa, and factor XIIa, which helps prevent clot formation in the membrane oxygenator. The addition of low-intensity systemic heparin is intended to maintain systemic circuit patency and prevent patient-side thrombotic events while minimizing the high risk of major bleeding associated with standard-dose systemic heparinization. This dual approach aims to optimize the balance between thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications in critically ill patients on mechanical circulatory support.

Other names

nafamostat mesylate and unfractionated heparin combinationnafamostat and heparin combination therapy