Antiplatelet and fibrinolytic drugs Flashcards
Give an overview of thromboembolic diseases
- Thromboembolic diseases are common
- E.g. deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
- Consequence of AF
- Can result in TIAs, ischaemic stroke, MI
What is the difference between a thrombus and an embolus?
- A thrombus is a clot adhered to a vessel wall
- An embolus is an intravascular clot distal to the site of origin
What is venous thrombosis associated with?
- Stasis of blood
- Damage to veins
- Less likely to see endothelial damage
- High red blood cell and fibrin content
- Low platelet content, evenly distributed
Outline arterial thrombosis
- Usually forms at site of atherosclerosis following plaque rupture
- Lower fibrin content and much higher platelet content
What is Virchow’s triad?
- Reduced blood flow
- Increased coagulability
- Blood vessel injury
What can cause reduced blood flow?
- Atrial fibrillation
- Long distance travel
- Varicose veins
- Venous obstruction
- Immobility
- Ventricular/venous insufficiency
What can cause blood vessel injury?
- Trauma
- Orthopaedic or major surgery
- Hypertension
- Invasive procedures
What can cause increased coagulability?
- Sepsis
- Smoking
- Coagulation disorders
- Malignancy
Outline platelet activity in healthy endothelium
- Prostacyclin (PGI2) produced and released by endothelial cells
- Inhibits platelet aggregation
- PGI2 binds to platelet receptors
- Increases cAMP concentration in platelets
- Causes decreased Ca2+
- Prevents platelet aggregatory agents
- Stabilises inactive GP IIb/IIIa receptors
What is the average lifespan of a platelet?
- 8-10 days
- 10% replaced each day
Outline how a thrombus is formed
- Atherogenic pathway
- Fibrous cap
- Plaque rupture
- Thrombus formation
- Platelet adhesion at damaged endothelium
- Extensive cascade of signalling molecules
- Recruitment of more platelets
How are platelets activated?
- Release of platelet granules
- GPIIb/IIIa receptors and fibrinogen
- Increases Ca2+ and decreases cAMP in platelets
- Cascade and amplification from platelet to platelet
What are some examples of platelet granules?
- ADP
- Thromboxane A2
- Serotonin
- Platelet activation factor
- Thrombin
What drugs do we use to target platelet-rich, white arterial thrombi?
- Antiplatelet
- Fibrinolytic drugs
What drugs do we use to target red venous thrombi?
- Parenteral anticoagulants
- Oral anticoagulants
Give examples of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors
- Aspirin
Outline thromboxane A2
- Potent platelet aggregating agent
- Formed from arachidonic acid by COX 1
What is the mechanism of action of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors such as aspirin?
- Inhibits COX-1 mediated production of thromboxane A2
- Reduces platelet aggregation
- Irreversible
Why does aspirin not completely inhibit platelet aggregation?
- Other aggravating factors
- Doesn’t irreversibly inhibit COX 1 in every patient
What is the low non-analgesic dose of aspirin?
- 75 mg
What is the loading dose of aspirin used in acute coronary syndromes?
- 300 mg
Which other part of clotting is affected by higher doses of aspirin?
- Inhibits endothelial prostacyclin