💊370: Anticoagulants Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of Heparin?
Stops clotting progression by suppressing fibrin formation
What are dosing considerations for Heparin?
- Dosing by weight
- Can overlap with Warfarin
- Safe in pregnancy
What are the two types of Heparin?
- Unfractionated Heparin (UFH)
2. Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)
What is the mechanism of action of Unfractionated Heparin?
- Long chains bing to antithrombin, making more effective
- Impacts factor Xa, IX, XI, XII
Wraps around “hugs” thrombin
What are side effects of UFH?
- Bleeding
2. Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
What is Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)?
Immune response leading to platelet activation and aggregation
- Platelet levels drop
- x30 risk Thrombosis
= Stop Heparin, use different anticoags (NOT LMWH)
What should a nurse monitor for a patient on UFH?
- Hemoglobin, platelet counts
- Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT, goal 1.5-2x control)
- Nomagram
- Anti-Xa
What is a prototype of Low Molecular Weight Heparin?
Dalteparin (Fragmin)
“-parin”
What are advantages of LMWH?
- More predictable
- Less bleeding
- Less HIT
- No monitoring required
- Fixed dose schedule due to longer half life
- Easy to give as SC for outpatients
What are disadvantages of LMWH?
- Drug price $$$
- Lower reversal of anticoagulation
- Dosing for renal/obesity uncertain
What are side effects of LMWH?
- Bleeding
- HIT (Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia)
- Spinal/epidural hematoma
- Antiplatelet drugs
What is the mechanism of action of Fondaparinux (Arixtra)?
Small molecule, highly selective Xa inactivation
= similar to LMWH without HIT
What are dosing considerations for Fondaparinux (Arixtra)?
- Safe in pregnancy
- Renal dose adjustment needed
- SC injection once daily
What is the mechanism of action for Warfarin (Coumadin)?
Vitamin K antagonist - blocks synthesis of VII, IX, X, and prothrombin
What are therapeutic uses for Warfarin (Coumadin)?
- VTE treatment and prophylaxis
- Thrombosis in artificial heart valves
- Stroke in AFib
- Recurrent TIA and MI