The effect of heparin on the four coagulation parameters
Disease description:
I usually have the habit of going to the hospital for regular check-ups. Today, I went to the hospital for a physical examination, and one of the tests was a complete blood count. May I ask how heparin affects the four coagulation tests?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Heparin's influence on the four routine coagulation tests mainly manifests through its anticoagulant effect.
1. Heparin can prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), an effect achieved by its binding to antithrombin III, enhancing the anticoagulant activity of antithrombin III by approximately 2000-fold.
2. Heparin inhibits factors responsible for converting prothrombin into thrombin, prevents fibrinogen from converting into fibrin, and thereby inhibits platelet aggregation and release reactions.
These effects lead to changes in related parameters of the four routine coagulation tests, such as prolonged APTT and potentially affected prothrombin time (PT). Close monitoring of coagulation function is necessary during heparin use to ensure safe medication administration.
