Abstract

In addition to their wide use in anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapy, heparin and heparinoids are known to have antiviral effects. Trials are being conducted in order to evaluate their use in anticoagulant treatment for COVID-19 patients, especially those with coagulopathy [1]. The studies suggest that heparin may prevent intravascular coagulation and venous thromboembolism. Due to the potential of heparin to ameliorate severe cases of disease in patients with the novel coronavirus, shortage of heparin supply may provoke another public health issue. Some shrimp heparinoids that present novel structures and strong antithrombotic properties may be useful as alternatives without triggering hemorrhaging, a side effect of heparin, and neither thrombocytopenia, elevation of serum aminotransferases nor hyperkalemia.