Journal : Contaminated Heparin Associated with Adverse Clinical Events and Activation of the Contact System

Contaminated Heparin Associated with Adverse Clinical Events and Activation of the Contact System

There is an urgent need to determine whether oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS), which has contaminated heparin supplies worldwide, is the cause of severe anaphylactoid-like reactions. This study shows that the OSCS found in contaminated lots of unfractionated heparin directly activates the kinin–kallikrein pathway in human plasma, which can lead to the generation of bradykinin, a potent vasoactive mediator. April 23, 2008 (DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa0803200), in Print June 5, 2008

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