Heparin

Article Abstract:

The physiological effects of heparin and its therapeutic uses are discussed in detail. Heparin is an anticoagulant, an agent that suppresses the ability of the blood to clot, and is therapeutically used for many conditions. Heparin is used to prevent further blood clotting in patients who have suffered a heart attack, and for conditions such as venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in which blood vessels are blocked by blood clots. Although heparin itself does not dissolve blood clots, it prevents clots from growing and gives the body's normal clot-dissolving processes time to work. Heparin comes from the lining of the gut, and most medically used heparin is obtained from pigs. This drug prevents the formation of a blood clot by interfering with a substance in the blood called antithrombin III. Antithrombin III is usually a slow inhibitor of clotting. When a heparin molecule binds to an antithrombin III molecule, the antithrombin molecule becomes twisted out of shape. In this new shape, or conformation, the antithrombin III molecule becomes a rapid inhibitor of clotting. Once the antithrombin has been disfigured, the heparin molecule is then free to leave and repeat the action on another fresh antithrombin molecule. The most common side effect of heparin treatment is bleeding. In addition to preventing clotting in the pathological condition under treatment, normal forms of clotting are inhibited as well, and patients suffer many types of bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding. Other side effects of heparin include hair loss, allergic reactions, and suppression of the hormone aldosterone. Heparin use in the treatment of heart attacks is becoming more widespread. Heart attacks often occur when a small blood clot has blocked a blood vessel that supplies the heart muscle with oxygen. This clot may be dissolved with enzymes such as streptokinase; these enzymes can be live-saving if administered soon enough after the heart attack begins. Heparin helps prevent the clot from growing, and prevents the formation of other clots during the recovery period. Therefore, heparin has become an accepted part of effective heart attack treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects

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Non-anticoagulant uses of heparin

Article Abstract:

Because heparin is able to interact with a number of proteins it has long been thought that it may have uses other than preventing blood clots. Heparin occurs naturally in the body but is also sometimes taken therapeutically to prevent blood coagulation. It is known that heparin can speed up protein interactions and act as a growth regulator. It can also interact with certain types of cells. However, research into the use of heparin other than as an anticoagulant has been hindered by the fear that patients might develop bleeding complications. The reported use of inhaled heparin to prevent exercise-induced asthma may be the first study to find a method for administering heparin and minimizing possible complications. Hopefully, this will encourage others to explore other non-anticoagulant uses of heparin.

Editorial

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Low-molecular-weight heparins

Article Abstract:

Low-molecular-weight heparin may replace regular heparin because it is easier to administer and causes fewer complications. Low-molecular-weight heparin is produced from regular heparin and is much smaller in size. Both types of heparin are anticoagulants but low-molecular-weight heparin produces more effective anticoagulation and lasts longer in the body. It can be used to prevent the formation of blood clots in surgical patients, including those receiving artificial joints. It can also prevent blood clotting in certain diseases such as stroke. It has been used to treat abnormal blood clotting, as well as angina and stroke.

Prevention, Drug therapy, Thromboembolism, Thrombosis

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