The International journal of artificial organs
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Anticoagulation is mandatory for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), but systemic heparinization, which has been most widely used as an anticoagulant, has been associated with bleeding complications. The present study reviewed the usefulness and safety of nafamostat mesilate as a regional anticoagulant in patients with bleeding complication during ECMO. ⋯ Nafamostat mesilate, with which we can reduce anticoagulation values of patient to a safe level without losing the ECMO anticoagulation values is expected to be useful as a regional anticoagulant in patients with bleeding complications or a high risk of bleeding during ECMO.