Antithrombotics Flashcards
Thrombus
A clot that adheres to the wall of a blood vessel
Embolus
A clot that has dislodged from the vessel wall and is freely moving in the blood stream
What is the difference between an arterial and venous thrombus
Arterial is usually due to a collection of platelets. Where as a venous clot usually forms because of inappropriate activation of the coagulation cascade (rich in fibrin)
What is the MOA of anti-platelet therapies
Prevents platelets from aggregating by inhibiting the COX-1 enzyme (cox-1 is cyclooxgenase)
Which NSAID is the only one that irreversibly exhibits antithrombotic efficacy
Aspirin (also has a 7-10 half life)
What are anti platelet drugs used for
Treatment of MI and stroke (arterial clot prevention)
What is the MOA of anticoagulation
Either inhibits the action of the coagulation factors (thrombin inhibitors) or inhibits the synthesis of coagulation factors (vitamin K antagonists)
What is the extrinsic clotting system triggered by
Factor VII
What is the intrinsic clotting system triggered by
Factor XII
What are the steps of blood clot (clotting cascade - basic end pathyway)
Factor Xa initiates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Thrombin then activates fibrinogen to fibrin formation which becomes the blood clot
Which pathway can you test PTT for
Intrinsic
Which pathway can you test pT for
Extrinsic
What drug works on the intrinsic pathway (pTT)
Heparin
What drug works on the extrinsic pathway
Warfarin
Which drug is a thrombin inhibitor
heparin
Which drug is a vitamin K antagonist
warfarin
What is the MOA of the antithrombin drugs
Blocks the prothrombin/thrombin interaction in the clotting cascade (interferes with formation of thrombi)
What is the MOA of the Vitamin K antagonists
Protein coagulation factors need vitamin K as a cofactor. By blocking vitamin K, it results in clotting factors with diminished activity (prevents clot from getting bigger)
What is a major difference of heparin and warfarin
Takes a lot longer for warfarin to work 8-12 hours, but peak effects may be even as late as 72 hrs.
How to you reverse the effects of coumadin
give vitamin K
What are anticoagulation drugs used for
prevention of venous thromboembolism, DVT, PE