The Pharmacokinetics and Cardiovascular Effects of a Single Intravenous Dose of Protamine in Normal Volunteers

Abstract

We developed a method for measurement of protamine in human blood. In volunteers, protamine concentrations decreased rapidly after administration. The rapid disappearance of protamine from the circulation, as defined by a median half-life of 7.4 min, could contribute to cases of "heparin rebound" after initial adequate reversal of heparin.