A patient with dialysis on Monday and Thursday for a dental extraction — what anticoagulant is used during dialysis that affects dental treatment planning?

Correct answer: B. Heparin

• A. Aspirin is antiplatelet therapy, not the dialysis-specific anticoagulant.
• B. Correct. Heparin is the anticoagulant used during hemodialysis to prevent clotting in the dialysis circuit. Its short half-life (~1–2 hours) means it is metabolized by the day after dialysis, which is why the day after dialysis is preferred for dental extractions.
• C. Warfarin may also be used in some dialysis patients with comorbidities, but heparin is specifically used DURING dialysis sessions.
• D. Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent, not the anticoagulant used during dialysis.