blood coagulation Flashcards
What is haemostasis?
Haemostasis is the body’s response to blood vessel injury and bleeding. The stopping of blood loss from damaged
vessels and protect against haemorrhage. A highly
complex, regulated process.
What mechanisms are involved in haemostasis following a wound?
The mechanisms involved include:
- Vasoconstriction
- Platelet adhesion to the exposed tissue
- Platelet activation to form a haemostatic plug
- Reinforcement of the plug by fibrin
What does the platelet plug consist of in haemostasis?
The platelet plug consists of:
- Platelet adhesion to the exposed tissue
- Platelet activation to form a haemostatic plug
What does blood coagulation (thrombus) involve in haemostasis?
Blood coagulation (thrombus) involves the reinforcement of the plug by fibrin.
What does haemostasis involve?
Haemostasis involves a coordinated effort between platelets and numerous blood clotting proteins (or factors).
What is the result of haemostasis?
Haemostasis results in the formation of a blood clot and subsequent stopping of the bleed.
What are the interactions critical to haemostasis?
Interactions between platelet activation and the coagulation cascade are critical to haemostasis.
Which mediator is critical in haemostasis?
Thrombin is a critical mediator in haemostasis.
What is thrombosis?
Thrombosis is the formation of a haemostatic plug within the vasculature in the absence of bleeding, also known as ‘haemostasis in the wrong place.’
What are the predisposing factors for thrombosis, as described by Virchow’s triad?
The predisposing factors for thrombosis include:
1. Injury to the vessel wall (e.g., rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque)
2. Altered blood flow (e.g., veins in legs during prolonged sitting, turbulence)
3. Increased coagulability of the blood (thrombophilia)
What is the role of antiplatelet agents in thrombosis treatment?
Antiplatelet agents inhibit platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation, which helps to prevent thrombus formation.
Name some anticoagulants used to prevent thrombus formation.
Common anticoagulants include heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), hirudin, and warfarin.
What is the function of fibrinolytic agents in managing thrombosis?
Fibrinolytic agents, such as anistreplase, alteplase, reteplase, streptokinase, and urokinase, activate plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin in thrombi.
How does fibrin contribute to thrombus stability?
Fibrin forms the framework of the thrombus, trapping blood cells and providing structural integrity.
Describe the process of platelet plug formation in haemostasis.
- Adhesion: Platelets adhere to exposed collagen at the site of vessel injury.
- Activation: The adhered platelets become activated and release ADP and thromboxane A₂.
- Attraction of Additional Platelets: Released chemical messengers (ADP and thromboxane A₂) attract and activate more passing platelets.
- Aggregation: Newly activated platelets bind to the growing platelet plug, releasing additional aggregating chemicals to strengthen the plug.
- Inhibition Beyond Injury Site: Uninjured endothelium releases prostacyclin and nitric oxide to inhibit aggregation, ensuring the plug remains confined to the injury site.
How do antiplatelet agents work to reduce platelet aggregation and the risk of arterial thrombosis?
- Plaque Disruption leads to exposure of Collagen and vWF (von Willebrand factor), initiating platelet adhesion and secretion.
- Inhibition of COX-1:
- Drug: Aspirin
- Action: Blocks COX-1, reducing thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) production, which inhibits platelet recruitment and activation. - ADP Receptor Blockade:
- Drugs: Ticlopidine, Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, Cangrelor, Ticagrelor
- Action: Blocks ADP pathway, preventing platelet recruitment and activation.
GPIIb/IIIa Receptor Blockade:
- Drugs: Abciximab, Eptifibatide, Tirofiban
- Action: Prevents GPIIb/IIIa activation, reducing platelet aggregation.
What enzyme releases arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipids?
Phospholipase A2 releases arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids.
What can arachidonic acid (AA) be converted into?
Arachidonic acid can be catalytically converted into biologically active metabolites known as eicosanoids.
What are the three major pathways for eicosanoid production from arachidonic acid?
The three major pathways are:
1. Cyclooxygenase pathway
2. Lipoxygenase pathway
3. Epoxygenase pathway
What enzyme catalyzes the conversion of arachidonate to endoperoxides (PGG₂ and PGH₂)?
Cyclooxygenase (COX) catalyzes this conversion.
What are the two main products derived from endoperoxides (PGG₂, PGH₂) in platelet function?
The two main products are PGI₂ (prostacyclin) and TXA₂ (thromboxane A₂).
What is the function of PGI₂ (prostacyclin) in platelet aggregation?
PGI₂ inhibits platelet aggregation.
What is the role of TXA₂ (thromboxane A₂) in platelet function?
TXA₂ promotes platelet aggregation.
How does aspirin affect cyclooxygenase (COX) in platelets?
Aspirin irreversibly acetylates COX-1, preventing the formation of endoperoxides (PGG₂, PGH₂), thus reducing thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) production for the platelet’s lifespan.
Why does aspirin act as an effective antiplatelet drug despite reducing both TXA₂ and PGI₂?
Aspirin’s inhibition of TXA₂ in platelets is irreversible (no nucleus to make new COX-1), while PGI₂ synthesis in endothelial cells is reversible (nucleus allows COX re-synthesis), leading to prolonged reduction in clotting without a long-term effect on PGI₂.
What is the effect of a single low dose of aspirin on clotting time, and why?
A single low dose of aspirin doubles clotting time for about a week, which is the lifespan of platelets, due to the permanent inactivation of COX-1 in platelets.
How does low dosing of aspirin reduce side effects?
Low dosing minimizes gastrointestinal side effects associated with blocking prostaglandins (PGs), which are protective in the gastrointestinal tract.
What is the role of COX-1 in platelet activation?
When platelets become activated, COX-1 generates thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂), which promotes further platelet aggregation.
How does TXA₂ enhance platelet aggregation?
TXA₂ binds to TP receptors on platelets, increasing the expression of GPIIb/IIIa on platelet cell membranes, which is crucial for platelet aggregation.
What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of aspirin as an antiplatelet drug?
Aspirin permanently inhibits TXA₂ production in platelets, thereby chronically reducing platelet aggregation.
What are the protective functions of PGI₂, PGE₂, and PGF₂α in the gastrointestinal tract?
PGI₂ prevents gastric secretion, while PGE₂ and PGF₂α increase the production of protective mucus in the stomach and small intestine.
How does aspirin affect gastrointestinal health?
Aspirin inhibits the production of PGI₂, PGE₂, and PGF₂α, leading to reduced protective mucus and gastric secretion, which can result in epigastric distress, ulceration, and hemorrhage.
What are common and rare side effects of low-dose aspirin as an antiplatelet drug?
Common side effect: Increased bleeding time. Rare side effects: GI irritation, hemorrhage, and ulcers, mitigated by low dosing frequency and enteric coatings.
What triggers platelet activation?
Platelet activation is triggered by interactions with exposed collagen, thrombin (IIa), and von Willebrand factor (vWF), leading to binding to receptors on the platelet surface.