How might heparin have an effect on blood results test?

Heparin, an anticoagulant, can significantly affect blood test results by inhibiting clot formation. Its presence in blood samples can lead to falsely low results in tests measuring clotting factors, such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Additionally, heparin can interfere with certain biochemical assays, potentially skewing results for markers like liver enzymes and electrolytes. Therefore, it's crucial to consider heparin use when interpreting laboratory results.