During diagnostic arteriography, what is the role of heparin?

• A. Systemic anticoagulation to prevent catheter- or device-related thrombosis, with dosing per protocol to maintain target ACT.
• B. Routine antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection.
• C. No heparin is used during diagnostic arteriography.
• D. Local thrombolysis at the access site to prevent thrombosis.

Answer: (A)

Systemic anticoagulation with heparin during diagnostic arteriography is used to prevent thrombosis on catheters and endovascular devices. Heparin lowers the risk of catheter- or device-related clots by inhibiting clot formation, and the dose is given and adjusted to maintain a target activated clotting time (ACT) throughout the procedure. The ACT target balances reducing thrombosis while minimizing bleeding risk, with dosing guided by protocol. This role is not about antibiotic protection, so routine prophylaxis for infection isn’t the purpose, and it isn’t done as a local thrombolysis at the access site. Therefore the best answer is systemic anticoagulation to prevent catheter- or device-related thrombosis, with dosing per protocol to maintain target ACT.