Antiplatelets Flashcards
1
Q
What are anti-platelet medications?
A
- drugs that inhibit coagulation
2
Q
What is a day to day drug that is commonly used for headaches that can be used as anti-platelet medication?
A
- aspirin
3
Q
What is the mechanism of action of how aspirin acts as an anti-platelet medication?
A
- inhibits cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1)
4
Q
What is the role of cyclo-oxygenase-1 (COX-1) in platelet coaggulation?
A
- converts Arachidonic acid into Thromboxane A2
- Thromboxane A2 activates platelets
- Activation, Adhesion and Aggregation of platelets follows
5
Q
Why is a low dose of aspirin better as an anti-platelet medication than a larger dose?
A
- higher doses inhibit COX-1 and prostacyclin
- prostacyclin inhibits platelet aggregation so not a good thing
- low does inhibit COX-1 but not prostacyclin
6
Q
In addition to aspirin, what is the second drug that we need to be aware of?
A
- clopidogrel
7
Q
What is the mechanims of action of clopidogrel?
A
- inhibits the P2Y12 receptor on platelets
- P2Y12 triggers Activation, Adhesion and Aggregation of platelets
8
Q
Do aspirin and clopidogrel work on the intrinsic or extrinsic coagulation cascade?
A
- intrinsic
- directly on platelets
