Cardiovascular Meds: anticoagulants Flashcards
Specify 3 laboratory tests to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulants
PT/INR: patients who are taking Warfarin
aPTT: those who are taking Heparin
Heparin Anti-Xa level: those who are on unfractionated (UF) heparin and sometimes with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin
Describe the mechanisms of action of
- anticoagulants
- antiplatelets
- thrombolytics
- anticoagulants: disrupt the coagulation cascade, less fibrin is produced
- antiplatelets: inhibit platelet aggregation
- thrombolytics: lyse the clot
Recognize 3 major emergencies for patients on anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics
- shortness of breath or chest pain
- vital signs–low BP and high HR
- changes in level of consciousness/mental status
What are 4 examples of serious thrombi?
- pulmonary emboli
- myocardial infarction (MI)
- deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- embolic stroke
Compare arterial blood clots with venous blood clots
Arterial blood clots:
damage to BV or rupture of plaques
–> platelets adhere to the site
–> platelets secrete ADP and TXA2 which attracts more platelets
Venous blood clots:
when venous flow is slow and stagnant, coagulation cascade occurs and fibrin is produced
–> fibrin attracts RBCs and platelets to make a clot
Specify whether anticoagulants treat thrombosis in arteries or veins
Anticoagulants treats THROMBOSIS IN VEINS !!!
Classify anticoagulants into 3 groups according to their mechanisms of action and give examples of each
- activates antithrombin: LMW heparin, UF heparin, and Fondaparinux
- Vitamin K antagonists: Warfarin
- Direct thrombin inhibitors: Bivalirudin
Specify whether antiplatelet drugs treat thrombosis in arteries or veins
Antiplatelets treat THROMBOSIS IN ARTERIES !!!
Classify antiplatelet drugs into 3 groups
- Aspirin
- P2Y12ADP receptor antagonists
- GP llb/lla receptor antagonists
Describe the mechanism of action of warfarin
Warfarin stops activation of Vitamin K
So there is less VK-dependent clotting factors (VII, IX, X< and prothrombin)
Specify the laboratory test to monitor therapeutic warfarin levels
PT/INR
*** monitor the lab work and adjust dosage –> the goal is to reach & maintain therapeutic warfarin level
*** normal INR level for someone not receiving warfarin is 1.0
*** patients with DVT, pulmonary embolism: target INR is 2-3
***patients with prosthetic aortic heart valves: 2.5-3.5
Recognize the dietary restrictions for patients on warfarin
Severely limit vitamin K rich foods!
List 3 contraindications of warfarin therapy
- current severe bleeding
- poor compliance to medication, INR monitoring, or dietary restrictions
- pregnant women
Identify 4 groups of patients who should take warfarin with caution
- uncontrolled hypertension
- severe liver disease
- recent surgery on brain, spinal column, or eye
- patients who are also taking OTC aspirin and NSAIDs
Describe the mechanism of action of “direct thrombin inhibitors”
Direct thrombin inhibitors are oral produrg:
dabigatran etexilate –> converted to dabigatran in the body
–> binds and inhibit prothrombin in the blood
***Fast onset
No lab monitoring, dietary restrictions, dosage is not weight dependent
Lower risk of serious bleeding