Heparin, a mixture of sulfated polymorphic
polysaccharides (
glycosaminoglycan) chains of variable lengths and weights and a natural
anticoagulant, is widely used in medical practice to prevent intravascular blood coagulation.
Heparin has demonstrated antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory activity, and it is mostly administered systemically (intravenously or subcutaneously) for primary or
secondary prevention of
venous thromboembolism after surgical interventions, or immobilized patients, or on short-term antithrombotic
therapy of patients with
atrial fibrillation who must undergo treatment. However, since systemic administration of
heparin could be, in certain cases, linked to an increased risk of
bleeding, topical
heparin is widely used for the prevention and treatment of local symptoms of peripheral vascular disorders, such as
venous insufficiency,
varicose veins, or superficial
thrombophlebitis. This review summarizes the main safety and efficacy characteristics of the topical formulation of
Heparin in Gel form (1000 International Units of
Heparin/g Gel) currently in use, which has demonstrated an excellent efficacy and tolerability profile in reducing signs and symptoms of
peripheral vascular disease, e.g., varicose syndromes and their complications,
phlebothrombosis,
thrombophlebitis, superficial
periphlebitis,
varicose ulcers, for post-operative varicophlebitis, sequelae of saphenectomy, for
traumas and
contusions, local edemas and infiltrates, subcutaneous
hematoma and for traumatic affections of musculotendinous and capsuloligamentous apparatuses.