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The ex Vivo Correlate of the Antithrombotic Action of Heparin
Author(s) -
HEMKER H. C.,
BÉGUIN S.,
PIETERS J.,
LINDHOUT T.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1989.tb22498.x
Subject(s) - citation , library science , medicine , computer science
The advent of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) made it surprisingly clear how little we know about the connection between the antithrombotic potency of heparin and its (bio)chemical properties. Classical unfractionated heparin (UFH) has been shown to be an acceptable antithrombotic, although the bleeding risk that it may induce is not negligible. More than half a century of clinical trial and error, often of a type that would not stand up to modern ethical and scientific standards, have been necessary to find an acceptable dosage scheme. We simply cannot think ofrepeating the same procedure with each new type ofheparin that is introduced. Therefore, we have to compare new heparins with the classical preparations on the basis of laboratory tests. Given this situation, it is slightly awkward that we do not know what the laboratory properties of heparin are that indicate its antithrombotic or hemorrhagic activities. The search for the proper laboratory correlate to in viuo antithrombotic action has occupied us for the last few years. We feel that this subject is a central one in heparin research. Only.if we know what tests in the laboratory reflect the action of heparins in a patient, can we attempt to answer the three crucial questions that are posed by these drugs: 1. What tests are suitable for controlling the quality of heparin therapy in a patient?