Use of hexadimethrine bromide as a heparin-neutralizing agent in canine plasma

Hexadimethrine bromide was evaluated as a heparin-neutralizing agent in a simple modification of the activated partial thromboplastin time test in canine plasma. Addition of various amounts of heparin in vitro to canine plasma indicated that heparin could be neutralized by adding 0.5 micrograms of hexadimethrine bromide 15 s before CaCl2 was added to the reaction mixture of the activated partial thromboplastin time test. In 8 dogs given (subcutaneous injection) 500 USP units of sodium heparin/kg, marked individual variations in clotting time prolongations were observed over the 12-hour period of study. The hexadimethrine bromide modification effectively neutralized the heparin-related clotting time prolongations to values that were not significantly different from base-line (preheparin) activated partial thromboplastin time values. The modification seems to be useful in confirming the presence of heparin and in monitoring heparin therapy in dogs.