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Podcast: Real Life Pharmacology - Pharmacology Education for Health Care Professionals
Episode: Heparin Pharmacology
Description: Heparin is an interesting drug with a lot of unique clinical quirks. This drug ultimately inhibits the formation of fibrin. Fibrin is an essential component of a blood clot.
Because heparin has blood thinning effects, it is critical to assess a patient’s bleed risk. Look out for other agents that may increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include; NSAIDs, antiplatelet agents, and other anticoagulants.
One classic test question about heparin that often comes up is the reversal agent. Protamine can be used to help reverse the effects of heparin.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a...