Heparin

Synonyms

Heparin Sodium

Heparin, Sodium

Heparin, Unfractionated

Heparinic Acid

Liquaemin

Sodium Heparin

Unfractionated Heparin

alpha Heparin

alpha-Heparin

A highly acidic mucopolysaccharide formed of equal parts of sulfated D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid with sulfaminic bridges. The molecular weight ranges from six to twenty thousand. Heparin occurs in and is obtained from liver, lung, mast cells, etc., of vertebrates. Its function is unknown, but it is used to prevent blood clotting in vivo and vitro, in the form of many different salts.