Heparin News and Research

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Heparin, a highly-sulfated glycosaminoglycan, is widely used as an injectable anticoagulant, and has the highest negative charge density of any known biological molecule. It can also be used to form an inner anticoagulant surface on various experimental and medical devices such as test tubes and renal dialysis machines. Pharmaceutical grade heparin is derived from mucosal tissues of slaughtered meat animals such as porcine (pig) intestine or bovine (cow) lung.

Anti-platelet drug class fails to extend survival in moderately ill COVID-19 patients

A drug class that blocks the activity of blood platelets and prevents clotting—P2Y12 inhibitors—failed to extend survival or lessen disease severity in patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized but had a relatively moderate case, a new study finds.

15 Nov 2021

COVID-19 drug candidate with wide-ranging antiviral activity

A new study investigated the antiviral activity and mechanism of action of Brilacidin against multiple human coronaviruses.

9 Nov 2021

Automated method shows predictive power for COVID-19 in-hospital mortality

Researchers focussed on the S-learner strategy of estimating the conditional average treatment effect.

4 Nov 2021

Therapeutic heparin for preventing COVID-19 deaths is four times higher than the prophylactic dose

The anti-coagulant heparin reduces the likelihood of death from COVID-19 by 78% when administered in therapeutic doses to patients with signs of respiratory failure on admission to hospital, according to a study reported on October 14 in the British Medical Journal.

30 Oct 2021

Suggested mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection inhibition by Mitoxantrone

A group of researchers performed a drug repurposing screen on an FDA-approved anti-cancer drug named Mitoxantrone.

20 Oct 2021

SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in nursing home residents after full vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

A new study assesses antibody and functional T-cell responses at 6 months after complete vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

11 Oct 2021

Characterization of circulating neutrophils from hospitalized COVID-19 patients

A new preprint deals with the characterization of neutrophil phenotypes in an attempt to provide biomarkers that can predict severe disease in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

8 Oct 2021

Study outlines a baseline bundle of care interventions for critically ill patients

Critical illness results in millions of deaths globally every year, many of which could be avoided with basic, life-saving care. Now, a new study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden outlines a baseline bundle of care interventions that global experts agree should be available for all critically ill patients. The study, published in the journal BMJ Global Health, provides a blueprint for hospitals on how to reduce preventable deaths, including from COVID-19.

21 Sep 2021

Could monitoring headaches after COVID-19 vaccination help identify rare cases of cerebral venous thrombosis?

Researchers from the Akershus University Hospital in Norway investigated 77 cases of CVT in vaccinated subjects to identify risks and warning signs to better predict these severe side effects.

21 Sep 2021

Evolved SARS-CoV-2 viruses gain higher infectivity and cause more rapid infection spread

Viruses accumulate mutations as they replicate in infected cells. Repeated replication can lead to viral strains that show attenuated virulence. Such strains may act as vaccines if the attenuated virus can produce immunity without serious disease.

16 Sep 2021

Researchers focus on improving biomaterials used for bone and tissue repair

Bone injuries in the face and skull-;known as craniomaxillofacial defects-;can be caused by sports injuries, vehicle accidents, or battlefield injuries.

14 Sep 2021

Assessing the risks of thrombotic events post vaccination with ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 vaccines in England

Researchers aim to better understand the population-level thrombotic risks post COVID-19 vaccination with both the ChAdOx1-S and BNT162b2 vaccines.

29 Aug 2021

Persistence of Anti-PF4 levels in VITT patients four months after AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

A study published on medRxiv* preprint server reported the over-time changes in the ability of the serum to activate platelets in vitro.

25 Aug 2021

Therapeutic-dose anticoagulation benefits moderately ill COVID-19 patients

Moderately ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19 have better chances of survival if treated with therapeutic-dose anticoagulation, according to an international study involving 121 sites, including UT Southwestern Medical Center.

20 Aug 2021

New biocompatible glue could quickly seal injured tissues and stop bleeding

Inspired by the sticky substance that barnacles use to cling to rocks, MIT engineers have designed a strong, biocompatible glue that can seal injured tissues and stop bleeding.

9 Aug 2021

Full dose anticoagulation with heparin improves outcomes for moderately ill COVID-19 patients

Collaborative international clinical trials testing full dose anticoagulation with heparin (a blood thinner) in both moderately ill and critically ill patients has found the treatment improves outcomes and reduces the need for vital organ support such as mechanical ventilation in moderately ill patients.

6 Aug 2021

Initiating therapeutic anticoagulation benefits moderately ill COVID-19 patients, but not critically ill patients

A large clinical trial conducted worldwide shows that treating moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a full-dose blood thinner reduced their need for organ support, such as mechanical ventilation, and improved their chances of leaving the hospital.

4 Aug 2021