Abstract
BACKGROUND: The safety of antiplatelet therapy in haemodialysis (HD) patients remains controversial. we conducted the first meta-analysis to evaluate the bleeding risk with antiplatelet agents in these populations. METHODS: The relevant literature was searched using the following electronic databases without any language restrictions: the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Global Health, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Chinese Biomedical Database. RESULTS: Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 2 prospective cohort studies, consisting of 1131 patients, were identified for detailed evaluation. The meta-analysis suggested that the use of double antiplatelet agents increased the risk of bleeding in HD patients [odds ratio (OR) = 2.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.63 to 4.76; I(2) = 0], and antiplatelet agents increased the risk of bleeding in 7 RCTs [odds ratio (RR) = 1.40, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.79; I(2) = 23%,]; however, the use of a single antiplatelet agent was not found to significantly increase the risk of bleeding (RR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.51 to 1.50; I(2) = 0). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the use of double antiplatelet agents increased the risk of bleeding in HD patients.