What effect can insufficient heparin have during dialysis?

Insufficient heparin during dialysis can lead to the risk of blood lines clotting. Heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent blood from clotting in the dialysis circuit. When there is an inadequate amount of heparin, the likelihood of clotting increases, which can result in the blood lines becoming obstructed or clogged. This clogging can inhibit the effective flow of blood, making it difficult to return blood to the patient after it has been filtered by the dialysis machine. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring the efficiency of the dialysis treatment and maintaining patient safety, as a clogged line can lead to complications and interruptions in therapy.