Revisiting the Pharmacology of Unfractionated Heparin

Abstract

[...]its pharmacodynamic (PD) properties are difficult to characterise owing to the complex multidimensional mechanisms of interaction with the haemostatic system. [...]the complex heterogeneous chemical composition of UFH precludes precise characterisation of its pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. [...]the various limitations associated with current assays used to quantify the activity of UFH in plasma are discussed. Antithrombin III (AT) and heparin cofactor II (HCII) are two key anticoagulant mechanisms contributing to blood fluidity, providing 70% of the total clotting enzyme inhibiting capacity of plasma [11]. Because these inhibitors represent the main targets for UFH-mediated anticoagulant effects, their biological activity is discussed in greater detail. 2.1 Antithrombin III AT is a 55 kDa member of the protein superfamily of serpins, sharing many structural and biochemical properties.