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Noun: heparin  he-pu-rin
  1. A polysaccharide produced in basophils (especially in the lung and liver) and that inhibits the activity of thrombin in coagulation of the blood; it (trade names Lipo-Hepin and Liquaemin) is used as an anticoagulant in the treatment of thrombosis and in heart surgery
    "The patient was given heparin to prevent blood clots after surgery";
    - Lipo-Hepin, Liquaemin

Derived forms: heparins

Type of: anticoagulant, anticoagulant medication, decoagulant, polyose, polysaccharide

Encyclopedia: Heparin, low-molecular-weight