Heparin calcium is a widely used anticoagulant medication that helps prevent and treat blood clots. For decades, it has played a vital role in saving lives during surgeries and for various medical conditions where blood clotting needs to be stopped or reduced. In this article, we will explore what heparin calcium is, how it works, its uses and benefits, precautions, and more.

What is Heparin Calcium?
Heparin calcium belongs to a class of drugs known as anticoagulants or "blood thinners." It is a glycosaminoglycan that acts as an anticoagulant by inhibiting certain clotting factors in the blood. Chemically, heparin calcium is a salt form of heparin sodium and is comprised of polysaccharide chains made of repeating disaccharide units.

How Does it Work?
Heparin calcium works by binding to and activating antithrombin III, a plasma protease inhibitor. This activated complex then inactivates coagulation enzymes such as thrombin and Factor Xa. By inhibiting these clotting factors, heparin prevents new clots from forming and enlarging existing clots. It works systemically to inhibit both arterial and venous thromboembolism. Importantly, heparin's action is immediate but reversible through binding to antithrombin III.

Uses and Medical Benefits of Heparin Calcium
- Preventing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism during and after surgeries
- Treating pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis or thromboembolic disorders
- Managing unstable angina or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction
- Used during hemodialysis to prevent clotting in the dialysis circuits
- Preventing clot formation in indwelling catheters or intravenous lines
- Administered during heart attacks to prevent new clots

Get More Insights On This Topic: Heparin calcium