heparin-protamine tolerance test; heparin-protamine titration assay; heparin-protamine neutralization

Introduction

Unclear how this test is performed.

Clinical significance

• when administered alone, protamine sulfate is an anticoagulant
• when given to a patient treated with heparin, a stable complex is formed & both heparin & protamine lose activity
• the complex forms as a result of the positively charged protamine & the negatively charged heparin
• neutralization of heparin occurs within 5 minutes of intravenous protamine sulfate injection

More general terms

• provocative clinical test

Additional terms

• heparin
• protamine sulfate