What is BSA (Body Surface Area) heparin in medical terminology?

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Last updated: February 15, 2025View editorial policy

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From the FDA Drug Label

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From the Research

Definition of BSA Heparin

  • BSA (Body Surface Area) heparin refers to the use of a patient's body surface area to determine the initial dose of heparin, an anticoagulant medication, in medical procedures such as percutaneous coronary angioplasty 1.
  • The goal of using BSA-adjusted heparin dosing is to improve the initial activated clotting time (ACT) values and reduce the need for additional heparin supplementation 1.

Calculation of BSA

  • Body surface area (BSA) is a measure that is used to calculate the surface area of the human body 2.
  • There are various formulae available to calculate BSA, but the choice of formula can be ambiguous and may affect the accuracy of the calculation 3.

Use of BSA in Heparin Dosing

  • Studies have shown that using BSA-adjusted heparin dosing can be more effective in reaching target ACT values compared to traditional heparin dosing methods 1.
  • The use of BSA in heparin dosing is important to ensure that patients receive the appropriate amount of anticoagulant medication to prevent thrombosis and other complications 4, 5.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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