[Beneficial characteristics of protease inhibitor as an anticoagulant for extracorporeal circulation].

Clinical characteristics of protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate (FUT-175:FUT), as an anticoagulant for extracorporeal circulation (ECC) were evaluated in hemodialysis and membrane plasmapheresis. FUT inhibited broad enzymatic systems including coagulation, platelet, complement, fibrinolysis and kinin cascades, which were commonly activated in the course of ECC. FUT showed regional anticoagulability, in which anticoagulating effects were firmly limited in extracorporeal circuit, and hemostatic time after ECC was significantly shortened by the use of FUT. FUT had no effects on lipid and bone metabolisms and FUT could not be adsorbed to anion exchange resin. These results indicate that FUT possesses superior characteristics as an anticoagulant for ECC to heparin, and FUT is very useful especially for ECC of patients with high bleeding risk.