Heparin Neutralizing Activity (HNA) in Clinical Practice

Abstract

HNA is measured in several pathological conditions by a biological assay.PFP, platelets and serun are compared.In PFP, HNA/ml is high in thrombocytosis, in acute DIC and in some thrombotic states; it is normal in most cases of thrombocytopenia. When expressed as units/109 platelets, PFP’s HNA is low in thrombocytopenia from hepatic origin.HNA/ml of PFP decreases during treatment with suloctidil; these last results are related to platelet survival time.Serum HNA, more than platelet HNA, reflects the antiheparin capacity of the blood and could be used to estimate the minimal amount of heparin required in therapy.