Which anticoagulant medication is administered during hemodialysis to prevent clotting in the dialysis circuit?

Heparin is routinely administered during hemodialysis to prevent thrombus formation in the extracorporeal dialysis circuit. Heparin acts as an anticoagulant by binding to antithrombin III, potentiating its inhibitory effects on thrombin and Factor Xa. The dental significance is that patients who have recently undergone dialysis (same day or day before) may have residual heparin effect, increasing bleeding risk. Dentists should coordinate procedures to be performed on non-dialysis days (typically the day after dialysis) when heparin has been cleared. Warfarin may be used for other indications in ESRD patients but is not given during dialysis itself. Aspirin is antiplatelet, not used for dialysis anticoagulation.