heparin
noun
hep·a·rin
ˈhe-pə-rən 
: a mucopolysaccharide sulfuric acid ester that is found especially in the liver and lungs, that prolongs the clotting time of blood, and that is used medically in the form of its sodium salt
Did you know?
Heparin is an organic compound used to prevent blood from clotting in the heart or blood vessels during and after surgery, and for initial treatment of various heart, lung, or circulatory disorders in which there is an increased risk of blood clotting. A mixture of complex carbohydrate molecules, heparin occurs naturally in liver and lung tissues. It was discovered in 1922 and originally used to prevent clotting in blood taken for laboratory tests.
Examples of heparin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Demand for albuterol and heparin is likely to rise across most or all age groups, while demand for donepezil will rise among adults ages 55 and older.
—
Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024
Demand for three common frontline treatments — the inhalation drug albuterol for asthma, the blood-thinner heparin used in dialysis, and the Alzheimer's drug donepezil, or Aricept — is likely to rise through 2040.
—Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024
The scientists wondered if injecting human cells with the blood thinner heparin and related heparinoids would essentially trick the toxins into binding with the medicine, rather than harming the cells.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2024
Pig products go into dozens of life-saving drugs like epinephrine, which is used to treat severe allergic reactions, and heparin, a blood thinner.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heparin 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024
Demand for three common frontline treatments — the inhalation drug albuterol for asthma, the blood-thinner heparin used in dialysis, and the Alzheimer's drug donepezil, or Aricept — is likely to rise through 2040.
—Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, 8 Oct. 2024
The scientists wondered if injecting human cells with the blood thinner heparin and related heparinoids would essentially trick the toxins into binding with the medicine, rather than harming the cells.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2024
Pig products go into dozens of life-saving drugs like epinephrine, which is used to treat severe allergic reactions, and heparin, a blood thinner.
—Jen Christensen, CNN, 30 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heparin
Dictionary Entries Near heparin
Cite this Entry
“Heparin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heparin. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
heparin
noun
hep·a·rin
ˈhep-ə-rən
: a glycosaminoglycan sulfuric acid ester that occurs especially in the liver and lungs, that prolongs the clotting time of blood by preventing the formation of fibrin, and that is administered parenterally in the form of its sodium salt in vascular surgery and in the treatment of postoperative thrombosis and embolism see liquaemin compare antiprothrombin, antithrombin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share