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Haematology > Anticoagulant drugs > Flashcards

Anticoagulant drugs Flashcards

1
Q

Which genetic predispositions increase the risk of blood clots?

A

Anti-thrombin deficiency

Protein C deficiency

Protein f deficiency

Factor Leiden thrombophilia

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2
Q

What are the different classes of anticoagulants?

A

Warfarin - teratogenic

Heparin - unfractionated and LMWH

DOACs - e.g., dabigatran, rivaroxaban

Other non anticoagulant classes that have anticoagulant effects are:

Anti-platelet drugs

Anti-fibrinolytics

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3
Q

What is the action of warfarin?

A

Vitamin K antagonists

Prevents γ-carboxylation of factors II, VII, IX, X (a.k.a., vitamin K dependent factors)

This prolongs the extrinsic pathway (PT time)

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4
Q

How is warfarin monitored?

A

International normalised ratio (INR)

Based on the ratio between the PTs of the test and control samples

Most accurately measured in the venous blood samples

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5
Q

When being treated on warfarin what is the target INR for DVT/PE and AF?

A

2.5

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6
Q

When being treated on warfarin what is the target INR for recurrent VTE or metal heart valves?

A

3.5

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7
Q

What is the metabolism of warfarin?

A

Hepatic via CYP2C9

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8
Q

What are the half lives of the different clotting factors?

A

VII = 6 hours

IX = 24 hours

X = 40 hours

II = 60 hours

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9
Q

In light of the different half lives of the clotting factors, how long can it take warfarin to reach therapeutic levels?

A

> 3 days

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10
Q

What drug should be given whilst you wait for warfarin to reach therapeutic levels?

A

LMWH

Typical loading regime is 10 mg, 10mg, 5mg

LMWH is usually continued until INR is > 2.0 for 2 consecutive days

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11
Q

What other natural anti-coagulants does warfarin inhibit?

A

Protein C

Protein S

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12
Q

How does warfarin initially cause a temporary pro-coagulant state?

A

Fall in protein C and S which occurs in within hours can cause a temporary pro-coagulant state

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13
Q

Which drugs can potentiate the effect of warfarin?

A

Enzyme inhibitors

Fluconazole
Azathioprine
Allopurinol
Erythromycin (a macrolide)
Ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone)
Amiodarone

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14
Q

Which drugs can inhibit the effect of warfarin?

A

Enzyme inducers e.g.,

Rifampicin
Citalopram
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine

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15
Q

Which other substance can warfarin interact with?

A

Alcohol

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16
Q

What other conditions can potentiate the effect of warfarin?

A

Liver disease due to decreased synthesis of vitamin K factors

Decreased absorption of vitamin K e.g., malabsorption, Abx therapy, laxatives

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17
Q

What are the important side effects of warfarin?

A

Teratogenic

Significant haemorrhage risk - intracranial bleeds up to 1% per year, increased risk in elderly and those with higher INR target

Minor bleeding up to 20% per year

Skin necrosis

Alopecia

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18
Q

How can you reverse warfarin?

A

Life-threatening bleed = prothrombin complex (Octaplex) which contains factors II, VII, IX, X - dosed according to patient’s INR and weight

Vitamin K 2-10 mg IV/PO depending on INR level

FFP can also be used

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19
Q

What is a heparin?

A

Mucopolysaccharide that potentiates anti-thrombin

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20
Q

Can the effects of heparins be reversed?

A

No

Irreversibly inactivates factors IIa (thrombin) and Xa

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21
Q

How is heparin given?

A

Parenterally (e.g., SC)

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22
Q

What are the two types/formulations of heparin?

A

Unfractionated (given via IV)

LMWH (given SC)

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23
Q

Can heparins be used in pregnancy?

A

Yes

LMWH more commonly used

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24
Q

TRUE or FALSE

Unfractionated heparin can be given in renal failure

A

TRUE

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25
Q

Why is unfractionated heparin not often used?

A

Due to its inconvenience

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26
Q

How is unfractionated heparin administered?

A

IV with 5000U bolus and ~ 1000U/hour infusion

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27
Q

What is a rare but important side effected of unfractionated heparin?

A

Thrombocytopenia and VTE which results in Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

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28
Q

How is unfractionated heparin monitored?

A

APTT

Target range of 1.5-2.5 x normal

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29
Q

How can unfractionated heparin be partially reversed?

A

With protamine sulphate (not really effective)

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30
Q

How is LMWH given and prescribed?

A

SC

Prescribed according to patient’s weight

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31
Q

Is LMWH usually monitored?

A

No (but can use the anti-Xa assay)

32
Q

What creatinine clearance must patients have to use LMWH?

A

> 30 ml/min

Hence it CANNOT be given to people with renal impairment

33
Q

Give examples of LMWH formulations

A

Tinzaparin (Innohep) 175U/kg (OD)

Enoxaparin (Clexane) 1.5mg/kg (OD)

Dalteparin (Fragmin)

34
Q

What dose of the different LMWH are used for thromboprophylaxis in hospital in-patients?

A

3,500 or 4,500U for Tinzaparin

20 or 40mg Enoxaparin

35
Q

What is the basis of INR?

A

PT

Tube contains citrate, which allows the cellular portion to be separated from the plasma (which contains the clotting factors)

36
Q

Name other parenteral anticoagulants

A

Hirudin
-Snake venom derived
-Argatroban - direct thrombin inhibitor
-Used in place of heparin in patients with HIT

Heparinoids
-Danaparoid – heparin-like compound

Fondaparinux
-Arixtra – potentiates anti-thrombin, inhibits factor Xa

37
Q

What are DOACs?

A

Oral anticoagulants

Developed as an alternative to warfarin

Require no monitoring and have a good safety profile

38
Q

What are the 2 classes of DOACs?

A

Direct thrombin (IIa) inhibitor e.g., dabigatran

Direct factor Xa inhibitor e.g., rivaroxaban, apixaban

39
Q

According to trials how do DOACs compare to warfarin?

A

Non-inferiority of DOACs to warfarin and LMW heparin for VTE and AF (but not cardiac valves)

40
Q

How does Rivaroxaban work? Is it reversible?

A

Direct factor Xa inhibitor

It is NOT reversible

41
Q

What are the indications for Rivaroxaban?

A

VTE prophylaxis

Tx of DVTs and PEs

Stroke prevention in AF

42
Q

What is the dosing for Rivaroxaban?

A

15mg BD for 3 weeks

THEN

20mg OD or 15mg OD if CrCl is 15-50ml/min

43
Q

What is an alternative drug and how is it dosed?

A

Apixaban

Dosed BD

Less affected by renal function (safe > 15 ml/min)

44
Q

What is dabigatran?

A

Direct IIa (thrombin) inhibitor

45
Q

What are indications for Dabigatran?

A

VTE prophylaxis

Tx of DVTs and PEs

Stroke prevention in AF

46
Q

What is the dosing for Dabigatran?

A

Treatment dose is 150mg bd

Prophylactic dose is 110mg bd

Confirm creatinine clearance > 30ml/min

47
Q

What drug is used to reverse Dabigatran?

A

Praxbind (Idarucizumab)

48
Q

What are the different types of anti-platelet drugs?

A

Aspirin = cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitor

Clopidogrel = ADP receptor blocker

Dipyridamole = inhibits phosphodiesterase

Prostacyclin = stimulate adenylate cyclase

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors:
Abciximab – monoclonal antibody
Eptifibatide – snake venom derivative
Tirofiban – blocks platelet aggregation

49
Q

What are fibrinolytic agents? How do they work?

A

Thrombolytic agents

Lyse fresh thrombi (arterial)

Convert plasminogen into plasmin

50
Q

What are examples of fibrinolytic agents?

A

Alteplase = Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA)

Streptokinase

51
Q

How are fibrinolytic agents administered and when?

A

Systemically

Acute MI

Recent thrombotic stroke

Major PE

Iliofemoral thrombosis

52
Q

When should you aim to use standardised dosage regimens?

A

Within 6 hours

53
Q

What are the contraindications to thrombolysis?

A

Recent intracranial haemorrhage (ICH)

Structural cerebral vascular lesion.

Intracranial neoplasm.

Ischemic stroke within three months.

Possible aortic dissection.

Active bleeding or bleeding diathesis (excluding menses)

Significant head injury or facial trauma within 3 months

54
Q

What is the starting dose when warfarin Tx is initiated?

A

Typical induction dose = 10mg daily for 2 days

Low starting dose - 5mg - for frail/elderly/people with low body weight

Subsequent doses depend on prothrombin time i.e., INR

55
Q

What is the maintenance dose of warfarin?

A

3-9mg taken at the same time each day

56
Q

Which anticoagulant should be given if you want an immediate effect but also want to give warfarin e.g., in PE or DVT?

A

Start them on heparin or LMWH - bridging treatment and warfarin

57
Q

What is the duration of Tx for DVT/PE with warfarin?

A

At least:

6 weeks - distal DVT (calf vein thrombosis)

3 months - proximal DVT or PE where there are known temporary risk factors and a low risk of recurrence.

6 months - proximal DVT due to an unknown cause

Long-term - recurrent DVTs or PEs

58
Q

What is the duration of Tx for AF with warfarin?

A

Usually long-term

If pt undergoing cardioversion - ensure target INR (i.e., 2.5) is met at least 3 weeks before cardioversion and 4 weeks after

59
Q

What is the duration of Tx with warfarin for patients with prosthetic valves?

A

Long-term

60
Q

When on warfarin, how frequently should the INR be measured?

A

Daily or on alternate days until target INR achieved

Then twice weekly for 1-2 weeks

Then weekly measurements until at least 2 INR measurements are within the therapeutic range

Thereafter, depending on the stability of the INR, at longer intervals

Once a stable warfarin dose that controls the INR has been established, changes in dose are seldom required.

61
Q

What are the 1st steps you should take if the INR is not within therapeutic ranges when a person is on warfarin?

A

Ask patient about:

  • adherence to warfarin Tx
  • use of other medications inc. OTC, vitamins, herbal or homeopathic remedies
  • use of alcohol or illicit drugs
  • food and drink intake (e.g., veggies, cranberry juice)
  • their general health - any episodes of illness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss
62
Q

What should you do if the INR > 8 with minor bleeding?

A

Stop warfarin

Give phytomenadione (Vit K) by slow IV injection

Dose of pytomenadione can be repeated after 24 hours if INR is still high

Restart warfarin once INR < 5

63
Q

What should you do if the INR is > 8 with no bleeding?

A

Stop warfarin

Give phytomenadione (Vit K) orally using the IV preparation

Dose of pytomenadione can be repeated after 24 hours if INR is still high

Restart warfarin once INR < 5

64
Q

What should you do if the INR 5-8 with minor bleeding?

A

Stop warfarin

Give phytomenadione (Vit K) by slow IV injection

Restart warfarin once INR < 5

65
Q

What should you do if the INR 5-8 with no bleeding?

A

Withhold 1-2 doses of warfarin

Reduce subsequent maintenance dose

66
Q

What should you do if a patient on warfarin has major bleeding?

A

Stop warfarin

Give:
Phytomenadione (Vit K)

Octaplex (prothrombin complex concentrate with factors II, VII, IX, and X)

FFP if Octaplex is unavailable

67
Q

What advice should be given to patients about warfarin check-ups?

A

Important to have their INR check regularly at intervals agreed with the patient

They should always take their anticoagulant Tx booklet (Yellow book) when they go to clinic to have their INR checked

68
Q

What does the Yellow book contain?

A

Advice for people of anticoagulants

An alert card (which a patient should carry at all times)

A section for recording INR readings

69
Q

What should you advice patients about how to take warfarin?

A

Take at the same time each day

They should not miss doses or take additional doses without advice from a HCP

They should inform anticoagulant clinic staff if they have taken too much warfarin or missed any doses

Never take a double dose if they have missed a dose and should continue with the prescribed regimen

70
Q

What advice should be given to patients on warfarin around diet, additional meds etc?

A

Seek med advice before making any major changes to diet (e.g., eating more vit K rich food like spinach, kale, broccoli which can affect anticoagulation control)

Limit alcohol intake to 1-2 drinks max per day - avoid binge drinking

Inform the anticoagulant clinic or other HCPs about changes to their lifestyle e.g., if they start, stop or change the dose of other medications

71
Q

In which situations should patients on warfarin seek urgent medical attention?

A

Spontaneous bleeding that does not stop or recurs (inc. postmenopausal bleeding, nosebleeds, prolonged bleed from a clot)

Sudden severe back pain - could indicate spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding

Difficulties breathing, increased breathing rate or chest pain - could be Sx of PE

72
Q

What other advice should patients on warfarin be given?

A

Seek medical attention if they experience other adverse effects

They may have to stop warfarin before surgery or dental procedures

They should expect to bleed more easily and take extra care when brushing their teeth or using a razor - they should consider using a soft toothbrush or an electric razor

73
Q

What other advice should women of child-bearing age on warfarin be given?

A

Use effective contraception as warfarin is a known teratogen

If she become pregnant she’ll need to stop taking warfarin and use a LMWH instead

74
Q

What is self-testing and self-management of warfarin?

A

Self-testing is where a person tests their own international normalized ratio (INR) but contacts a healthcare professional for dose adjustment.

Self-management is where the person tests their own INR and also adjusts the dose of warfarin themselves (based on an individualized algorithm).

75
Q

Sources

A

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anticoagulation-oral/management/warfarin/

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anticoagulation-oral/background-information/mode-of-action/

Haematology (4 decks)

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