Heparin beyond anti-coagulation

Heparin has served as a mainstream anticoagulant for over eight decades. Clinically heparin-derived compounds significantly contribute to prevention and treatment of thrombotic events complicated in numerous medical conditions such as venous thromboembolism, coronary artery disease and extracorporeal circulation processes. Moreover in recent years, various off-labeled efficacious potentials of heparin beyond anti -coagulation are dramatically emerging, and increasingly investigated in clinical studies. Herein this article presents a comprehensive update on the expanded applications of heparin agents, covering the pregnant clinic, respiratory inflammation, renal disease, sepsis, pancreatitis, among others. It aims to maximize the beneficial profile of a pharmaceutical product through medical re-purposing development, exemplified by heparin, to address the unmet clinical needs of severe illness including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). (c) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Heparin has been a mainstream anticoagulant for over eight decades, and recent studies have shown its potential in various clinical applications beyond anticoagulation. This article presents a comprehensive update on the expanded applications of heparin agents, showcasing their importance in treating severe illnesses.