Overdose on heparin is reversed with which agent?

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Multiple Choice

Overdose on heparin is reversed with which agent?

Neutralizing the anticoagulant effect of heparin is achieved with protamine sulfate. Heparin accelerates antithrombin III to inhibit thrombin and factor Xa, so reversing its action requires a compound that binds heparin directly. Protamine sulfate is positively charged and binds the negatively charged heparin to form a stable complex, effectively neutralizing the anticoagulant effect. This makes protamine the reversal agent of choice for unfractionated heparin overdose. Other options don’t target heparin directly. Vitamin K reverses warfarin by restoring vitamin K–dependent factors, not heparin. Fresh frozen plasma provides clotting factors but doesn’t inactivate heparin. Desmopressin increases von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, not heparin reversal. Dosing of protamine depends on how much heparin was given and the time elapsed; it's more effective for unfractionated heparin and less complete for low molecular weight heparin.

Neutralizing the anticoagulant effect of heparin is achieved with protamine sulfate. Heparin accelerates antithrombin III to inhibit thrombin and factor Xa, so reversing its action requires a compound that binds heparin directly. Protamine sulfate is positively charged and binds the negatively charged heparin to form a stable complex, effectively neutralizing the anticoagulant effect. This makes protamine the reversal agent of choice for unfractionated heparin overdose.

Other options don’t target heparin directly. Vitamin K reverses warfarin by restoring vitamin K–dependent factors, not heparin. Fresh frozen plasma provides clotting factors but doesn’t inactivate heparin. Desmopressin increases von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, not heparin reversal. Dosing of protamine depends on how much heparin was given and the time elapsed; it's more effective for unfractionated heparin and less complete for low molecular weight heparin.

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