Abstract: The anticoagulants currently used may have contraindications and side effects, therefore continuous renal replacement therapy without anticoagulation is still common. Nafamostat mesylate has a short half-life, which may help critically ill patients avoid bleeding during blood purification. In Korea and Japan, Nafamostat mesylate is frequently utilized for anticoagulation in extracorporeal circulation line. However, there are no consensuses about the fundamental anticoagulant prescription, effective dose and monitoring strategy of the drug. Here we review the anticoagulation mechanism of nafamostat mesylate in patients on continuous renal replacement therapy, method of use, anticoagulation effect and limitations, so as to give a reference for future studies.

Key words: Continuous renal replacement therapy, Nafamostat mesylate