Email a Friend
Print ArticleMedical Dictionary
heparin
Pronunciation (hep′ă-rin)
- An anticoagulant principle that is a component of various tissues (especially liver and lung) and mast cells in humans and several mammalian species; its principal and active constituent is a glycosaminoglycan composed of d-glucuronic acid and d-glucosamine, both sulfated, in 1,4-α linkage, of molecular weight between 6,000 and 20,000. In conjunction with a serum protein cofactor (the so-called heparin cofactor), heparin acts as an antithrombin and an antiprothrombin. Synthetic preparations are commonly used in therapeutic anticoagulation. It also enhances activity of “clearing factors” (lipoprotein lipases).
Syn: heparinic acid
WebMD Medical Reference from "Stedman's Medical Dictionary"
The publisher is not responsible (as a matter of product liability,
negligence or otherwise) for any injury resulting from any material contained
herein. This publication contains information relating to general principles of
medical care which should not be construed as specific instructions for
individual patients. Manufacturers’ product information and package inserts
should be reviewed for current information, including contraindications,
dosages and precautions.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary 28th Edition, Copyright© 2006_Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
Everyone's IBS is different, but most sufferers have these symptom triggers in common.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.