Arterial thrombosis and anti-platelets Flashcards
What are the 3 main types of arterial thrombotic events ?
Coronary, cerebral, peripheral (PVD)
Note however if a cerebral (stroke) is linked to be due to AF then it will be a fibrin dependent clot and the long-term management includes anti-coagulants not anti-platelets
What type of clot forms in arterial thrombosis ?
Platelet rich
What is the main pathogenesis mechanism behind arterial thrombosis formation ?
atherosclerosis formation
Describe the formation of atherosclerosis
- Damage to endothelium (vessel wall) occurs
- Recruitment of ‘foamy’ macrophages rich in cholesterol
- Forms plaques rich in cholesterol
They’re made of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood).
What conditions do stable atherosclerotic plaques result in ?
- Stable angina (coronary artery)
- Intermittent claudication (leg artery)
Pic shows an atherosclerotic plaque
What happens in unstable artherosclerotic plaques ?
- Plaques rupture, platelets are recruited and cause acute thrombosis
- This results in sudden onset of symptoms
What conditions are associated with unstable atherosclerotic plaques ?
- Unstable angina or myocardial infarction (coronary arteries)
- Stroke (cerebral arteries)
How does thrombosis (platelet rich) occur when a atherosclerotic plaque ruptures ?
- The arteries are high pressure environments and can ==> cause the plaques to rupture (think this is why you don’t get this in venous system because its a low pressure system so wont rupture any plaques forming in it)
- lPlatelet adheres to it – due to exposed endothelium (collagen) and release of VWF
- lPlatelets becomes activated - release granules that activate coagulation and recruit other platelets to developing platelet plug
- Platelet aggregation via membrane glycoproteins
(basically the steps for primary haemostasis)
What are the risk factors for arterial thrombosis ?
Risk factors are those which cause damage to the endothelium, increase in foamy macrophages and platelet activation
- Hypertension (damage to endothelium, platelet activation)
- Smoking (endothelium, platelets)
- High cholesterol (accumulated in plaque)
- Diabetes mellitus (endothelium, platelets, cholesterol)
What are the prevention treatments for reducing the chances of arterial thrombosis ?
- Stop smoking
- Treat hypertension
- Treat diabetes
- Lower cholesterol – statins
- Anti-platelet drugs
The arterial system is a high pressure environment with a thick smooth muscle layer in the vessel walls ?
T or F
True
Recall that the vessel damage which predisposes to venous thrombosis is not atheroma formation but mainly valve damage in the veins
What are the 4 main types of anti-platelet drugs ?
- Aspirin
- ADP receptor antagonist - e.g. Clopidogrel, prasugrel
- Dipyridamole
- GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors - e.g. abciximab
Describe the action of aspirin
Inhibits cyclo-oxygenase which is necessary to produce Thromboxane A2
What are the potential side effects of aspirin ?
- Bleeding
- Blocks production of prostaglandins:
- GI ulceration
- Bronchospasm