ANTITHROMBOTIC ACTIVITY OF A 2-KDA HEPARIN FRAGMENT IN AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL OF CAROTID-ARTERY THROMBOSIS IN RATS

The antithrombotic activity of a 2-kDa heparin fragment was studied in a rat model of common carotid artery thrombosis that causes a complet ely occlusive thrombus with cessation of the blood flow within 10-15 m in. The compound reduced thrombus formation in a dose-dependent manner , starting from an intravenous dose of 5 mg kg(-1). A dose of 20 mg kg (-1) completely prevented thrombus formation and apparently induced th e almost complete lysis of the already formed occlusive thrombus. At n one of the doses used did the compound cause increased bleeding or the formation of haematomas. The present results indicate that low molecu lar weight heparins, which have an established, highly beneficial effe ct in venous thromboembolism, are also highly effective in an animal m odel of arterial thrombosis.