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Hematology reagents used for qualitative and/or quantitative determination in plasma of heparin, a mixed polysaccharide that acts as a potent anticoagulant by enhancing the activity of antithrombin III and from inhibition of a number of anticoagulant factors. Heparin is released by the mast cells and by basophils of the blood and present in many tissues. Heparin is frequently used as a therapeutic drug to prevent thrombosis; heparin therapy is frequently monitored using partial thromboplastin time tests.
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