Elevated hepatocyte growth factor levels at the beginning of high-flux hemodialysis are due to heparin administration.

Background: It has been reported that hemodialysis (HD) stimulates hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) release, but it is not clear if this stimulation is due to HD itself or to heparin used during HD. To clarify this issue, we undertook the present study.

Methods: We studied 18 HD patients using high-flux dialyzers, during a single 4-hr hemodialysis session (session A).