Heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent and treat blood clots in veins, arteries, lungs, and the heart[1][2][3][5]. It does not dissolve existing clots, but it stops new clots from forming and prevents existing clots from growing larger[1][5][6].
Heparin is prescribed for a range of conditions and procedures that carry a risk of dangerous clot formation, including:
- Venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), for both prevention and treatment[1][3][4][7]
- Acute coronary syndrome (such as unstable angina and non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction)[1][3][4]
- Atrial fibrillation, to reduce risk of embolic stroke[1][3][4]
- Prevention of clotting during cardiac surgery (e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass), dialysis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and other procedures involving blood circulation devices[1][3][4][5]
- To maintain the patency of intravenous lines and catheters by preventing clot formation within the device[1][3][6]
Heparin is often administered by injection or infusion in a hospital or clinic setting due to the need for precise dosing and monitoring[2][7]. In specific situations, small doses are used to prevent clots in people who are immobilized by illness or surgery[5].
On occasion, heparin is also used in combination with aspirin for women with certain clotting disorders to prevent pregnancy complications, and in the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)[6].
References
- [1] Heparin – Wikipedia
- [2] Heparin Injection: Uses & Side Effects – Cleveland Clinic
- [3] Heparin: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action – DrugBank
- [4] Heparin: Physiology, Pharmacology, and Clinical Application – PubMed
- [5] Heparin (intravenous, subcutaneous route) – Mayo Clinic
- [6] Heparin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information
- [7] Heparin: What It Is, Uses & Side Effects – Cleveland Clinic