Heparin History
Heparin is a carbohydrate discovered in 1916. In 1935, medical practitioners began to use Heparin in clinical, human trials. However, despite being one of the most studied carbohydrates, the primary physiological function of Heparin remains unknown.
Heparin is derived from various species of animals – mammals, birds, and arthropods. Often, pharmaceutical-grade Heparin is extracted from bovine and porcine tissue.
Many pharmaceutical giants – such as Baxter Healthcare that produces half of the US Heparin supply – extract Heparin or manufacture synthetic Heparin.
Heparin Medical Application
Heparin is injected into human beings as an agent to thin out the blood, and consequently prevent coagulation.
As an anticoagulant, Heparin is used to treat or prevent heart conditions that result from the formation of clots. Heparin is often used in surgery, dialysis, and to address many cardiovascular conditions.
Heparin Effects
Heparin works directly against the human body’s ability to create blood clots. Though Heparin prevents the formation of blood clots, it does not dissolve existing clots. Instead, Heparin inhibits further clot formation.
Once a Heparin dose is administered, human blood reacts by not coagulating, allowing blood to flow faster and freer. Thus, during surgery, Heparin prevents a patient from having a potential fatal blood clot in an artery.
Heparin Dosage
Heparin is administered at the discretion of the attending physician. Heparin may be administered orally or intravenously – into a vein – or subcutaneously – under the skin. Due to its short half life, Heparin is usually administered frequently or as an infusion.
Multiple dosages are not uncommon. Varying Heparin solution strengths – both naturally extracted and synthetic – are available in the market.
Heparin administration is usually begun as a single high dose or as a bolus – an injection which takes several minutes to complete.
Heparin Adverse Effects
With high dose, bolus injections – from Heparin manufactured by Baxter Healthcare – serious allergic reactions occur. This type of Heparin side effect can be accompanied by oral swelling, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, diarrhea, blackouts, and abnormally low blood pressure.
Without the human body’s ability to create blood clots, Heparin may induce nose bleeds, blood in urine, dark stool, easy bruising, or other abnormal bleeding episodes.
Heparin Contaminant and Fatality
On the 29th of February 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration collected more than 350 reports of side effects linked to the use of Baxter Healthcare Heparin products. The US FDA likewise discovered that as much as 21 deaths and 400 adverse medical conditions are due to Baxter Heparin products.
A contaminant in the Baxter Heparin has been identified. All Baxter Heparin products have been recalled and manufacture of the products has been discontinued. Due to negligence, Baxter Healthcare is under investigation.
If you or someone you know has undergone or is undergoing dialysis then there is a high probability that Heparin has been administered. Consult with a physician immediately and confirm if Heparin, manufactured by Baxter Healthcare – was used.
The Heparin legal investigation teams at Babbitt-Johnson are at your disposal for these specialized cases.
It is imperative to consult a physician as soon as possible. Babbitt-Johnson attorneys, specializing in aprotinin and Trasylol cases, offer free legal consultations and advice on the best legal recourses.
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