Heparin Heuristics Lite

Disclaimer: This application must only be used by health professionals in the course of providing care to patients undergoing procedures where anticoagulation is required by the use of intravenous heparin, and where it is desired to reverse the anticoagulation with protamine. The decision to use this advice must be made by the supervising doctor, and cannot be used to replace clinical judgement.

This app allows estimation of the initial dose of heparin to achieve a desired ACT, additional doses to maintain that ACT, and the dose of protamine required to reverse the heparin at any current ACT.

It was developed during ten years of providing anesthetics for over 1,000 catheter ablation procedures. It is being trialled in cardiac surgical cases, where the physiology alters much more, but shows promise (provided protamine dose is estimated after rewarming). It is designed as a guide for clinicians, and must not be thought of as a way of supplanting clinical acumen. The clinician must hold themselves responsible for all decisions made in the context of providing anaesthesia and administering heparin and protamine.

Information and links to citations forming the basis for the theoretical development of this app can be found at: https://HeparinHeuristics.com