Definition

The sodium salt form of danaparoid, a synthetic low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) derived from porcine gut mucosa with anticoagulant activity. Danaparoid sodium binds to antithrombin III and inhibits the activity of activated factor X (factor Xa) and, to a lesser extent, activated factor II (thrombin) thereby preventing fibrin formation. Compared to heparin, danaparoid sodium exhibits a much higher ratio of anti-factor Xa activity to anti-factor IIa activity (22:1).