Anticoagulant acrobatics: Surviving the global heparin shortage in the emergency department

The United States (U.S.) faces a heparin shortage due to an African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in China [1]. Approximately 80% of global crude medical heparin is produced in China from pig intestines; the U.S. is 60% dependent on China for final heparin preparations. When nearly 50% of China's pig population was culled in response to ASF concerns, heparin became scarce in many U.S. markets [2]. While manufacturers now show limited availability, experts predict the shortage will continue [3].
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Source Type: research