RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the role of direct thrombin inhibitor argatroban in the renal replacement therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Electronic databases including Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, Highwire, MEDLINE, CBM, CNKI, and CSJD were searched using keywords including "Argatroban", "hemodialysis", "renal function", "renal failure", and "renal replacement therapy". A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials(RCTs)comparing argatroban with controls in renal replacement therapy was performed. Both the study selection and the meta-analysis were conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews. Data were extracted from these trials and analyzed by RevMan 5.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, argatroban in renal replacement therapy showed no significant difference in mortality(RR=0.97, 95%CI: 0.48-1.97, P=0.93)and bleeding rate(RR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.37-1.34, P=0.29). Argatroban significantly decreased the incidence of new thrombosis in renal replacement therapy for patients with heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia(RR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.21-0.75, P=0.004). Also, argatroban significantly decreased the clotting events in extracorporeal circuit during the renal replacement therapy(RR=0.06, 95%CI: 0.01-0.23, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION Argatroban applied in renal replacement therapy can decrease the incidences of new thrombosis and clotting events in extracorporeal circuit and meanwhile will not increase the mortality and bleeding.</p>