Possible Interaction: Heparin and Potassium

“Plasma potassium concentration decreased when 1000 U/ml heparin was added irrespective of the method of analysis.”

“Surprisingly, the variant bound heparin with a K D reflecting an ∼10-fold greater affinity than the normal inhibitor.”

“Sodium levels were normal, but due to dilution of the plasma with heparin solution, potassium and calcium levels were about 20% lower than the serum levels in the donors.”

“However, increasing heparin concentrations and/or volumes decreased potassium values.”

“In the presence of 0.1 M cation, the maximum relative rate enhancement by heparin was 2000-fold with lithium, 1,800-fold with sodium and 1,100-fold with potassium.”

“In potassium loaded, ureter-ligated dogs, heparin increases transmembrane potassium transfer as effectively as does a dosage of atropine large enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and its influence on potassium transfer , like that of atropine, is suppressed by β-adrenoreceptor blockade.”

“ Heparin was shown to decrease levels of ions of sodium, potassium , in the plasma and erythrocytes, to increase the negative charge of erythrocytes and membrane permeability for potassium ions.”

“ Heparin also increased the excretion of potassium in sham-operated animals and of chloride in all surgical groups.”