Nurse's notes: Heparin Potter.
I remember a mnemonic our professor taught us about Heparin. His was all confusing so I made adjustments to it.
INSIDE THE APARTMENT WITH HARRY POTTER.
INside is for the INtrinsic Pathway where Heparin blocks certain clotting factors.
AParTmenT is for aPTT (activated Partial Thromboplastin Time), which is the blood test used to monitor the therapeutic effect of Heparin. (aPTT must be maintained at 1.5 -2.5 times the control)
Harry is of course, for, Heparin.
and Potter is for its antidote, Protamine Sulfate.
No matter how absurd this mnemonic is, I never seem to forget it. Of course think of the opposite and you’ll get Warfarin;
Measures the Extrinsic pathway
PT(Prothrombin Time) is used to measure the therapeutic effect (maintained at 2-3 times the control).
Warfarin’s antidote is Vitamin K.
