Citrate vs. acetate dialysate on intradialytic heparin dose: A double blind randomized crossover study.

Introduction Citrate containing dialysate has a calcium-binding anticoagulant effect compared to standard acetic acid containing dialysate. We performed a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial in maintenance HD patients to determine if citrate dialysate ("citrate") safely allows for a lower cumulative heparin dose ("heparin dose"). Methods Intradialytic heparin was adjusted to the minimum during a 2-week run-in phase.