Intra-operative heparin release during lung surgery.

Objectives: Heparin has long been thought to be biosynthesized and stored in the granules of mast cells that are most prevalent in the lungs and gastro-intestinal tract. In response to stimuli such inflammation and trauma, mast cells degranulate and consequently release heparin. This prospective study was designed to investigate if operative trauma during lung mobilization could enhance heparin release into both the pulmonary and systemic circulations.