34. Anticoagulation Flashcards
T/F: Anticoagulants break down clots
False - they prevent blood clots from forming and keeping existing clots from getting bigger but do not break down clots
What can cause blood clots for form?
Blood vessel injury, blood stasis (stopping/slowing of blood flow) and prothrombotic conditions
What part of the coagulation cascade do UFH/LMWH (enoxaparin, dalteparin) work on?
Xa and thrombin IIa via antithrombin
UFH: equal anti-Xa and anti-thrombin IIa activity
LMWH: most anti-Xa activity than IIa
What part of the coagulation cascade does warfarin work on?
Inhibits factors II, VII, IX, and X
What part of the coagulation cascade do rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban work on?
Xa (direct inhibitor)
What part of the coagulation cascade does argatroban (IV), bivalirudin (IV), dabigatran (PO) work on?
Thrombin IIa
What part of the coagulation cascade does fondaparinux work on?
Xa (indirect inhibitor) via antithrombin
DOACs are generally preferred for stroke prevention in Afib but if _______, use warfarin
mod-severe mitral stenosis or mechanical heart valve
DOACs are generally preferred for VTE treatment but if _____, use warfarin
antiphospholipid syndrome or mechanical heart valve
Compare DOACs vs warfarin in terms of DDIs, bleeding risk, and duration of action
DOACs have less DDIs, less or comparable bleeding risk, and shorter duration of action compared to warfarin
_____ do not cross-react with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies
IV direct thrombin inhibitors (argatroban, bivalirudin)
T/F: all anticoagulants can cause significant bleeding and are classified as “high-alert” meds by ISMP
True
An acute drop in ___ (e.g. ≥ 2g/dL) could signify that bleeding is occurring (visible or not)
Hgb
UFH MOA
binds to antithrombin and accelerates its ability to inactivate thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa and prevents conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
UFH dosing for VTE ppx
5000 units SC Q8-12H
UFH dosing for VTE treatment
80 units/kg IV bolus; 18 units/kg/hr infusion
Note: use TBW for dosing
UFH dosing for ACS/STEMI
60 units/kg IV bolus; 12 units/kg/hr infusion
Note: use TBW for dosing
Side effects of UFH
bleeding, thrombocytopenia, HIT, hyperkalemia, osteoporosis (long-term use), alopecia
Monitoring for UFH
aPPTT or anti-Xa level - check 6 hrs after initiation and q6h after therapeutic
aPPT therapeutic range is 1.5-2.5x control (depends on institution)
Platelets, Hgb, Hct at baseline and daily (decrease in platelets >50% from baseline suggests possible HIT)
Note: aPTT and anti-Xa monitoring not required for SC (VTE ppx)
Antidote of UFH
Protamine
Why is UFH continuous IV infusions common for treating VTE and ACS?
Short half-life (1.5hrs)
Why should UFH not be given IM?
hematoma risk
Heaprin lock-flushes (HepFlush) are only used to ___. Fatal errors, especially in neonates have occured when incorrect heparin strength (higher conc) was chosen.
Heparin injection 10,000 units/mL vs flushes 10 or 100 units/mL.
keep IV lines open
LMWH MOA
bind to antithrombin and accelerate ability to inactivate factor Xa and IIa
Anti-factor Xa activity»_space;» anti-factor IIa activity
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) dosing for VTE ppx
30 mg SC Q12H or 40mg SC daily
CrCl < 30: 30 mg SC daily
Note: use TBW for dosing
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) dosing for VTE treatment and UA/NSTEMI
1mg/kg SC Q12H or 1.5 mg/kgSC daily (only for inpatient VTE treatment)
CrCl < 30: 1mg/kg SC daily
Note: use TBW for dosing
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) dosing for STEMI treatment in pts <75 yo
30 mg IV bolus + 1mg/kg SC dose followed by 1 mg/kg SC Q12H (max 100mg for first 2 SC doses only)
CrCl < 30: 30mg IV bolus + 1mg/kg SC dose, followed by 1mg/kg SC daily
Note: use TBW for dosing
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) dosing for STEMI treatment in pts ≥75 yo
No bolus, 0.75mg/kg SC Q12H - max 75mg for first 2 SC doses only
CrCl < 30: 1mg/kg/ SC daily, no bolus
Note: use TBW for dosing
Boxed warnings for enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Pts receiving neuraxial anesthesia (epidural, spinal) or undergoing spinal puncture are at risk of hematomas and subsequent paralysis
Contraindications for enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Hx of HIT, active major bleed, hypersensitivity to pork
Side effects for enoxaparin (Lovenox)
bleeding, anemia, injection site reactions (e.g. pain, bruising, hematomas), decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia, including HIT)
Monitoring for enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Platelets, Hgb, Hct, SCr
More predictable anticoag response than UFH
Does not require anti-Xa level monitoring in most cases but recommended in pregnancy
May be useful to monitor in renal insufficiency, obestiy, low body weight, peds, elderly
Optain peak anti-Xa levels 4 hrs post SC dose
Antidote for enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Protamine
T/F: before self-administering Lovenox, you should expel the air bubble from syringe to reduce pain from injecting
False - do not expel air bubble for syringe prior to injection (can cause loss of drug)
T/F: Lovenox should be refrigerated
False - room temp
What kind of reaction is HIT?
Immune-mediated IgG drug reaction
The immune system forms antibodies against heparin bound to platelet factor 4 (PF4) »_space; antibodies join and creates complex > complex binds to the Fc receptors on platelets»_space; platelet activation
HIT is a ____ state and if left untreated, can cause many complications including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT). Can lead to amputations, post-thrombotic syndrome and/or death
prothrombotic
Probability of HIT can be assessed by calculating 4 Ts score which is based on ____
Thrombocytopenia: unexplained >50% drop in platelet count from baseline
Timing of platelet count drop: typical onset of HIT is 5-10 days after start of heparin or within hrs if pt has been exposed to heparin within past 3 months
Thrombosis
Other causes: ruling out other probable causes of HIT increases likelihood of diagnosis
If HIT is suspected or confirmed, what should you do?
Stop all forms of heparin and LMWH (including heparin flushes and heparin-coated catheters)
If pt is on warfarin and d/x with HIT, warfarin should be d/c and vit K should be administered
For immediate tx of HIT, rapid-acting non-heparin anticoag (e.g. ___) are to be used
Argatroban
After HIT is suspected/confirm, do not start warfarin therapy until the platelets have recovered to ≥ _____. Warfarin should be initiated at lower doses (5mg max) and overlap with non-heparin anticoag for minimum of ______ and until INR is within target range for at least _____
150,000 cells/mm3
5 days
24 hrs
If HIT is suspected/confirmed and urgent cardiac surgery or PCI is required, ___ is preferred anticoag
Bivalirudin
Apixaban (Eliquis) dose for nonvalvular AFib (stroke ppx)
5mg PO BID
If pt has at least 2 of the folloiwng: age ≥80 yo, weight ≤60kg, or SCr ≥1.5, then give 2.5mg BID
Apixaban (Eliquis) dose for DVT/PE treatment
Initial 10mg PO BID x 7 days then 5mg PO BID
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) doses ≥ ___ hsould be taken with food
15mg
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) dose for nonvalvular Afib (stroke ppx)
CrCl > 50: 20mg PO daily with evening meal
CrCl 15-50 :15mg PO daily with evening meal
CrCl < 15: avoid use
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) dose for DVT/PE Treatment
Initial: 15mg PO BID x21 days, then 20 mg PO daily with food
CrCl <30: avoid use
Pt is on rivaroxaban (Xarelto) 15mg BID but missed their dose. What do you recommend?
Take immediately to ensure intake of 30mg/day (two 15mg tabs may be taken at once) then resume regular schedule on the following day
Pt is on rivaroxaban (Xarelto) 10, 15, or 20mg daily but missed their dose. What do you recommend?
take immediately on the same day, otherwise skip
Which oral direct factor Xa inhibitor should not be used for nonvalvular afib (stroke ppx) if CrCl > 95?
Edoxaban (Savaysa)
Edoxaban (Savaysa) dose for DVT/PE treatment
60mg daily - start after 5-10 days of parenteral anticoagulation
Boxed warnings for oral direct factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban)
Pts receiving neuraxial anesthesia (epidural, spinal) or undergoing spinal puncture are at risk of hematomas and subsequent paralysis
Premature d/c increases risk of thrombotic events
Edoxaban only: reduced efficacy in nonvalvular afib pts with CrCl > 95 (do not use)
Contraindications for oral direct factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban)
active pathological bleeding