Description
Ecarin is a metalloprotease isolated from the venom of the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) that activates prothrombin. Ecarin does not affect other clotting factors. The action of ecarin on prothrombin is independent of calcium, phospholipids
and factor V. Moreover, Ecarin, in contrast to factor Xa, activates the acarboxy form of prothrombin present in plasma of patients undergoing oral anticoagulant therapy with vitamin K antagonists.
The venom has a molecular weight of 55,000 - 60,000 D.

Reconstitution
Reconstitute vial with 0.2 M HEPES buffer containing 0.025 M calcium chloride.
Recommended final ecarin concentration is 4 - 8 U/ml.

Storage and Stability
The unopened lyophilized vial can be stored protected from moisture at 2°-8°C until the expiration date given on the vial. Avoid contamination of the reagents by micro-organisms. Shipment of product does not require cooling during the time of transportation.

After reconstitution the product is stable for 7 days when stored at 2°-8°C, and for 6 month when stored at -20 °C.