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

heparinized

ˈhe-pə-rə-ˌnīzd 

adjective

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

Medications include small doses of anticoagulants (such as heparin) to prevent clots from forming. —Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025

Medications include small doses of anticoagulants (such as heparin) to prevent clots from forming. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025

Common examples include Jantoven (warfarin) and heparin. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 19 Aug. 2025

Common blood thinners include warfarin, heparin, apixaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek hēpar liver

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Medical 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