antiplatelets

Question 1

What is the role of low dose aspirin

Answer 1

Used to prevent MI in patients who have previously had an MI (used in secondary but not primary prevention)

Reduces incidence of stroke

Question 2

Mode of action of low dose aspirin

Answer 2

Inhibits Coox (irreversible)

Question 3

Why does low dose aspirin favour PGI2 (good) production over TXA2 (bad) even though both are a product of the same pathway

Answer 3

Because PGi2 is formed in an endothelial cell and the cell contains a nucleus. This is then able to make mRNA to reform COX to form prostaglandin

TXA2 is made in platelets which don’t have a nucleus and so this isn’t possible

Question 4

what is dipyridamole

Answer 4

Antiplatelet drug which is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor - Prevents breakdown of cAMP and cGMP (which are broken down by phosphodiesterase).

Also inhibits adenosine uptake

Question 5

Which drug is used in conjunction with aspirin

Answer 5

Dipyridamole