Tag: Antithrombin

Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant medication that significantly prolongs the time it takes for blood to clot. This effect is precisely what the Activated Clotting Time (ACT) test measures, making the ACT an essential tool for monitoring high-dose heparin therapy during critical procedures like cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac catheterization.

Heparin works by binding to and enhancing the activity of the plasma protein antithrombin, which then inactivates key coagulation enzymes. Understanding **what clotting factors are affected by heparin** is crucial for its safe and effective clinical use, differentiating between unfractionated and low molecular weight variations.

According to the National Institutes of Health, heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents the formation of clots and the extension of existing clots within the blood. By understanding how does heparin prevent blood from clotting, students and healthcare professionals can grasp its vital role in treating and preventing thromboembolic diseases. This powerful medication acts by significantly enhancing the body's natural anticoagulant system.

Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant, with approximately one-third of all hospitalized patients in the United States having some exposure to it [1.6.5]. Understanding what is the mechanism of action of heparin is crucial for grasping its role in preventing and treating blood clots [1.8.5].