Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Research findings offer new insight into blood thinners and bone builders

A team of Virginia Tech researchers has discovered new insights into blood thinners and bone builders, heparin. The findings may lead to designing safer and more reliable heparin therapies. Heparin's molecular composition affects its ability to bind calcium, influencing its effectiveness in biomineralization and blood clotting.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2025

A new anticoagulant with no risk of bleeding

A new anticoagulant with on-demand reversible activity has been developed by a team from UNIGE and the University of Sydney. This breakthrough offers a more reliable and easier-to-use option for surgical procedures, reducing the risk of serious bleeding associated with current treatments.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeNews article·DateApr 30, 2024

Scientists’ discovery could reduce dependence on animals for vital anti-blood clot drug

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a patented process to produce heparin in the lab, offering a consistent and safe supply of the essential medicine. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize the production of heparin, reducing reliance on animal-derived sources and addressing global supply chain issues.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 18, 2024

Researchers find that using patients’ own blood, rather than saline, helps preserve veins in coronary bypass grafts

Researchers at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and Carilion Clinic found that preserving leg vein grafts in heparinized arterial blood, rather than saline, improves their health and viability. This discovery could lead to better outcomes for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft procedures.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Vascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2024

CHEST releases clinical practice guideline on antithrombotic therapy in arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in COVID-19

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has released a new clinical guideline for managing antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19-related arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to improve risk-evaluation and treatment course.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·Journalthe journal CHEST·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2023

Aspirin as effective as blood thinner injections to prevent deadly complications in patients hospitalized with bone fractures

A new clinical trial of over 12,000 patients found that inexpensive aspirin is just as effective as injectable blood thinners in preventing life-threatening blood clots and other complications. The study suggests that surgeons may change their practice to administer aspirin to patients hospitalized with bone fractures.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 18, 2023

DOACs more effective, cost-effective compared to LMWH for cancer-associated thrombosis

A cost-effectiveness analysis of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for cancer-associated thrombosis found that DOACs are more medically effective and cost-effective. The most cost-effective DOAC, apixaban, was also shown to be the least costly anticoagulant.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 26, 2022

Bivalirudin found to be safer and more effective than heparin for treating heart attack patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

A new study has shown that bivalirudin is a safer and more effective anticoagulant than heparin for treating heart attack patients. The trial found that bivalirudin significantly reduced death, major bleeding, and thrombosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 6, 2022

High blood viscosity can predict higher risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with high blood viscosity have a 60% higher death rate than those with low blood viscosity. The study suggests that checking for blood viscosity early on could help determine the best treatment course and improve outcomes.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2022

Heparin dose capable of preventing COVID-19 deaths is four times higher than the dose recommended by WHO

A clinical trial of 465 patients found that administering heparin in therapeutic doses reduced mortality from COVID-19 by 78%, with benefits only observed when administered between seven and 14 days after symptom onset. The study suggests that timing is crucial for treatment efficacy.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 29, 2021

Researchers invent method to unlock potential of widely used drug

A new method called Shotgun ion mobility mass spectrometry sequencing (SIMMS2) has been invented to map the structures of heparan sulfates, which play key roles in regulating biological functions. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapeutics for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Hitting HIT: Heparin therapy

Researchers at LMU have discovered that inhibition of a specific enzyme can effectively prevent heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a potentially life-threatening condition. The study shows that Btk inhibitors can block platelet activation and prevent the formation of harmful clots, offering a new promising therapeutic option for t...

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalBlood Advances·DateDec 20, 2019

Meta-analysis evaluates the effect of post-primary PCI Bivalirudin I

A meta-analysis of randomized-clinical trials found that full-dose bivalirudin infusion post-PCI for four hours is associated with improved net adverse clinical events and all-cause mortality. Bivalirudin exhibits a lower risk of bleeding compared to unfractionated heparin, but also increases the risk of acute stent thrombosis.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateAug 15, 2017

Smart patch releases blood thinners as needed

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a smart patch that monitors a patient's blood and releases blood-thinning drugs as needed. The patch, made with microneedles containing hyaluronic acid and Heparin, can prevent thrombosis in animal models, offering a more effective treatment than traditional methods.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 28, 2016

Snake venom helps hydrogels stop the bleeding

Rice University scientists have developed a nanofiber hydrogel infused with snake venom that can stop bleeding within seconds, even in the presence of anti-coagulants. The material, called SB50, has great potential to treat surgical bleeding in patients taking heparin or other anti-coagulant drugs.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateOct 26, 2015

Treatment for heparin-induced blood disorder revealed in structure of antibody complex

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has elucidated the structure of a protein complex at its root, which may hold therapeutic potential for treating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The study found that an antibody called RTO disrupts this complex, preventing platelet activation and clot ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2015

Statewide quality improvement program helps lower rates of trauma complications

A statewide quality improvement program helped reduce serious blood clot complications by more than half in Michigan trauma centers. The program, which provides data-driven feedback and best practices, led to a significant drop in venous thromboembolism events after switching from one anti-clotting agent to another.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 10, 2015

Common drug is re-engineered to improve surgery outcomes

A Northwestern University team has re-engineered a common drug to deliver nitric oxide, preventing cellular overgrowth and scarring in blood vessels during and after surgery. This modified protamine sulfate can slowly release nitric oxide, minimizing its negative effects while maintaining its function as an antidote for heparin.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine·DateApr 7, 2015

The Lancet: New trial suggests cheaper drugs for common heart attack procedure could improve outcomes and save health budgets millions

A new study published in The Lancet compares two drugs used to prevent blood clot formation during emergency heart attack treatment. The results suggest that systematic use of heparin rather than bivalirudin after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) could save health services substantial sums of money while potentially im...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 4, 2014