Heparin Therapy

The Hemostasis/Thrombosis Laboratory recommends the activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) for monitoring Heparin therapy. The literature reports the therapeutic range for appropriate Heparin therapy in deep venous thrombosis to be 0.3-0.7 U/mL. The Hemostasis/Thrombosis laboratory selects a reagent which has an appropriate sensitivity to heparin (1.5 to 2.5 times the mean of the reference range). Recommendations for extent of anticoagulation can be found in "Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy, 8th Ed: ACCP Guidelines", published in the June, 2008 (Supplement) issue of Chest. In the unusual situation in which the aPTT cannot satisfactorily reflect the anticoagulation effect of Heparin, the Hemostasis/Thrombosis Laboratory can be consulted for alternative approaches. For specific data on the lot of aPTT reagent in use, call the Hemostasis Laboratory at 319-356-3573.