Heparin Calcium

Heparin is a heterogenous group of straight-chain anionic mucopolysaccharides, called glycosaminoglycans, having anticoagulant properties. Heparin inhibits the reactions that lead to the clotting of blood by acting at multiple sites in the normal coagulation system including thrombin and clotting factor Xa. It is used principally in the treatment and prophylaxis of thromboebolic disorders, in particular venous thromboembolisms, unstable angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, acute peripheral arterial occlusion, and stroke. Heparin calcium is also used in the prevention of coagulation during haemodialysis and other extracorporeal circulatory procedures such as cardiopulmonary bypass. Other uses include the flushing of catheters and cannulas. Heparin and its salts are constituents of many topical preparations for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders.

Heparin Sodium

Heparin is an anionic polysaccharide of mammalian origin with regular sequence. It consists principally of alternating iduronate and glucosamine residues most of which are sulphated. It is composed of polymers of alternating derivatives of D-glucosamine (N-sulfated, O-sulfated, or N-acetylated) and uronic acid (L-iduronic acid or D-glucuronic acid) joined by glycosidic linkages. It may be described as a sulfated glycosaminoglycan. Heparin sodium is the sodium salt of this sulphated glycosaminoglycan. The source of the material is swine intestinal mucosa.
Heparin has the characteristic property of delaying the clotting of freshly shed blood. This occurs mainly through the formation of a complex between the glycosaminoglycan structure with the plasma proteins antithrombin III and heparin cofactor II to potenziate the inactivation of plasmine.