Anticoagulants for Venouse Thromboembolism (VTE) Flashcards
Contrast the prognosis of DVT versus PE
DVT/deep vein thrombosis is rarely fatal
PE/pulmonary embolism can result in death within minutes of symptom onset – occurs when an embolus breaks off a thrombus in a vein and occludes blood vessels of the pulmonary artery tree; acute PE can cause arrhythmia and massive right ventricular failure
what are the phases of treatment for venous thromboembolism/VTE and how do they differ?
- acute phase (first 7 days): use of fast acting parenteral or a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC)
- early maintenance phase (8 days - 3 months)
- extended phase (>3 months)
intermediate/extended phases typically accomplished using DOAC or warfarin
which coagulation factors are involved in the intrinsic versus extrinsic versus common pathway of coagulation?
intrinsic: XII (12) —> XI (11) —> IX (9) —> VIII (8)
extrinsic: tissue factor (TF) —> VII (7)
common: X (10) —> II (prothrombin) —> I (fibrinogen)
Which assays are used to measure the factors in the intrinsic versus extrinsic coagulation pathways, respectively?
activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): measures intrinsic + common pathways [XII (12) —> XI (11) —> IX (9) —> VIII (8)]
prothrombin time (PT): measures extrinsic + common pathways [tissue factor (TF) —> VII (7)]
[common: X (10) —> II (prothrombin) —> I (fibrinogen)]
Name the two classes of parenteral anticoagulants, and the three classes of oral anticoagulants, respectively?
parenteral:
1. antithrombin potentiators (Heparins)
2. Direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs)
oral:
1. direct Factor Xa inhibitors
2. Direct Thrombin Inhibitors (DTIs)
3. vitamin K reductase (VKOR) inhibitors
What is the effect of heparin on coagulation?
heparin – heterogeneous mixture of sulfated mucopolysaccharides
binds antithrombin (AT) and dramatically accelerates the rate at which AT inhibits activated coagulation factors, particularly thrombin (IIa) and factor Xa
What are the three forms in which heparin is available as a parenteral anticoagulant?
- unfractionated heparin (UFH, largest): large enough to inhibit both thrombin/IIa and factor xa
- low-molecular weight heparins (LMWHs, mid-size): Enoxaparin, Dalteparin, inhibits factor Xa
- synthetic pentasaccharide (smallest): Fondaparinux, inhibits factor Xa
which of these forms of heparin is able to inhibit both thrombin/IIa and factor Xa?
a. Enoxaparin
b. Dalteparin
c. UFH
d. Fondaparinux
c. unfractionated heparin: large enough to inhibit both thrombin/IIa and factor Xa
a. Enoxaparin and b. Dalteparin are low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs); d. Fondaparinux is a synthetic pentasaccharide —> these can only inhibit factor Xa
Enoxaparin
Low molecular weight heparin – parenteral anticoagulant used to treat the VTE
heparin binds antithrombin, accelerating the rate at which it inhibits factor Xa
Fondaparinux
synthetic pentasaccharide derivative of heparin – parenteral anticoagulant used to treat VTE
heparin binds antithrombin, accelerating the rate at which it inhibits factor Xa
how do UFHs, LMWHs (Enoxaparin), and Fondaparinux (synthetic pentasaccharide) affect the following assays:
a. prothrombin time (PT)
b. activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
c. thrombin time (TT)
d. anti-factor Xa
a. prothrombin time (PT, extrinsic): increased by UFH (largest form of heparin)
b. activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT, intrinsic): increased by UFH
c. thrombin time (TT): increased by UFH
d. anti-factor Xa: increased by UFH, Enoxaparin, and Fondaparinux
*LMWHs and Fondaparinux are too small, can only bind/inhibit Factor Xa (common pathway) - this is why anti-factor Xa is best assay for their activity
when is use of unfractionated heparin vs LMWHs and Fondaparinux implicated, respectively?
UFH: IV infusion during acute phase of VTE treatment, requires close monitoring (interpatient variability)
LMWHs (Enoxaparin) and Fondaparinux: subcutaneous (SC) injection during acute phase of VTE, improved pharmacokinetics (longer t1/2, better renal clearance) - does not require routine monitoring/dose adjusting
what are two major adverse reactions associated with heparin use?
- bleeding (UFH, LMWHs, Fondaparinux) - often associated with underlying cause
- Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) - mostly associated with UFH, must monitor platelet count, necrotizing skin lesion can occur at injection sites
how can protamine and ciraparantag be used in the management of adverse reactions related to heparin use?
major adverse effect of heparin use is bleeding
protamine: binds/neutralizes heparin, used in life-threatening hemorrhage (rapidly reverses anticoagulant effects of UFH)
Ciraparantag: new drug, may safely reverse anticoagulant effects of UFH/LMWHs/fondaparinux
what kind of drugs are Bivalirudin, Argatroban, and Desirudin, what is the mechanism of action?
Bivalirudin, Argatroban: direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI) – parenteral anticoagulants, unlike heparins, do not require antithrombin as a cofactor
Bivalirudin and Argatroban are both reversible inhibitors
Bivalirudin: binds active site + fibrin-binding site
Argatroban: binds only active site