heparinbased

Heparin-based refers to materials, formulations, or devices that incorporate heparin or heparin-like glycosaminoglycans to exploit their anticoagulant properties and biological interactions. Heparin is a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan derived from animal tissues and is used clinically as an anticoagulant. It acts mainly by binding antithrombin III, which inhibits thrombin and factor Xa, thereby reducing clot formation. In biomaterials, heparin can be immobilized on surfaces or covalently linked to polymers, creating heparin-coated or heparinized platforms.

Applications include coatings for medical devices: Heparin-based coatings on catheters, vascular grafts, and stents improve hemocompatibility by reducing protein adsorption and thrombosis. Drug delivery and tissue engineering: Heparin-based hydrogels and nanoparticles enable controlled release of growth factors and therapeutics. Heparin can be conjugated to drugs or carriers to modify pharmacokinetics and target interactions with growth factors such as VEGF or FGF.

Safety and regulation: Potential risks include heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and bleeding complications. Sourcing, purity, and quality control are important due to historical contamination issues. Regulatory pathways treat heparin-based biomaterials as medical devices, drug-delivery systems, or combination products, requiring safety and efficacy data.

Conclusion: The field merges anticoagulation with biomaterials and drug delivery, enabling improved blood compatibility and localized therapy, while balancing safety and regulatory considerations.