Derek warren pharmacology (anti-platelets, coagulation, fibirnolytics etc) Flashcards
What is haemostasis?
The cessation of bleeding from a damaged blood vessel (arrest of blood loss)
What happens when LDL cholesterol accumulates in the artery (process of atherosclerosis)?
- The LDL cholesterol accumulates in the endothelial layer of the artery wall
- LDL becomes oxidised, this triggers endothelial cells to express markers for immune cells
- immune cells pass into the basement membranes e.g. macrophages and foam cells
- These cells trigger smooth muscle cells to migrate to the area and proliferate to form a fibrous cap
- This fibrous cap blocks the entry of cells and debris from the blood
- Overtime, this thick cap will thin due to death of smooth muscle- the plaque will become unstable and can rupture
- This exposes the contents of the atherosclerotic plaque to the blood e.g. lipids and debris
- this leads to a cascade of events- clotting, blockages of arteries = heart attacks or strokes
What happens when we develop a wound?
Wound is formed
Leads to vasoconstriction of blood vessels to prevent excess blood loss
Platelet activation and increased adhesion of platelets to the vessel wall
Formation of a haemostat plug (coagulation)
Fibrinolytics will the breakdown the coagulation when ready
What is the main difference in an atherosclerotic coagulation cascade?
There is NO bleeding
= Thrombus: the pathological formation of a clot in the vasculature in the absence of bleeding.
What is Thrombosis?
the pathological formation of a clot in the vasculature in the absence of bleeding.
Requires prevention drugs
What blood factors activate platelets in the extra-cellular matrix?
- Von willebrand factor
- Collagen
What factors prevent platelet activation/aggregation?
Nitric oxide (NO)
Prostacyclin
How do we inhibit platelets forming blood clots?
Target factors that promote activation and aggregation:
Thromboxane A2
ADP
Collagen
Von Willebrand factor
Or stalemate factors that prevent a + a:
Prostacyclin
Nitric oxide
What are examples of anti-platelet drugs?
Drugs that decrease aggregation or inhibit thrombus formation:
Aspirin
Clopidogren
Ticragrelor
Glycoprotein iib/iiiab inhibitors e.g. tirotiban, eptifbatide, abciximab
How are platelets adhered to eachtoher?
Binded by fibrinogen that binds to glycoprotein iib/iiia receptors on both platelets
How does aspirin work as an anti-platelet?
- Aspirin irreversibly inhibits Cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1 & COX-2)
Irreversible inhibition of COX-1 in platelets:
This prevents the production of Thromboxane A2 from Arachidonc acid
- Reduces platelet aggregation as thromboxane normally promotes aggregation
ALSO
Irreversible inhibition of COX-2 in endothelial cells:
- This reduces the formation of prostacyclin
- Prostacyclin usually prevents aggregation (so by inhibiting = increased platelet aggregation)
SO TOGETHER THEY HAVE A NET EFFECS OF ZERO!
BUT this works as:
Endothelial cells can synthesise new cox-2 as they have a nucleus (platelets don’t so can’t synthesise new cox-1) = more cox-2 = more prostacyclin overtime = more preventing aggregation
How do the thienopyridines (clopidogrel, prasugrel) work?
They inhibit ADP-induced aggregation by inhibiting the P2Y12 receptor (purinergic receptor) which normally binds ADP and triggers platelet activation- by blocking this receptor- prevents ADP binding = decreased platelet activation and aggregation
How does Ticagrelor work?
Is a nucleotide analogue- mimics adenosine
- It blocks the P2Y12 ADP receptors by acting as an allosteric inhibitor (doesn’t directly compete for binding with adp = reversible)
How do glycoprotein iib/iia receptor antagonists work?
Prevent the binding of fibrinogen to allow aggregation by occupying the gp iib/iiia receptors that fibrinogen uses to form bridges between adjacent platelets.
What is the coagulation cascade?
The formation of a fibrin clot
Process:
leads to conversion of of soluble fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin
2 pathways:
INTRINSIC: Exposure to abnormal surface e.g. glass
All components are present in blood
EXTRINSIC: Switched on in presence of tissue damage- release tissue factor
Some components from outside of blood
Both paths converge at factor 10- cleaved to 10a
= cleavage of prothrombin to thrombin. Thrombin cleaves fibrinogen to small insoluble fibrin fragments
- is activated by factor x111- further strengthens fibrin links
= Fibrinogen –> Fibrin –> Polymer formed- CROSS-LINKED fibrin clot
LOOK AT DIAGRAM
What are the different treatment options depending on whether the patient has a red thrombi or white thrombi (platelet-rich)?
White= antiplatelets
Red = anticoagulants
What are some of the anti-coagulants available?
- injectable e.g heparin
- oral e.g. warfarin
What do heparin activate?
Activates antithrombin III
- This inactivates thrombin and factor x a (10a)
What are the types of heparins?
Unfractionated
low molecular weight
UFH- inhibits thrombin and Xa
LMWH- Mainly habits factor Xa- more predictable
What are the advantages of using low-molecular weight heparins over unfractioned heparins?
- LMWH bind to endothelial and plasma proteins = increases bioavailability = more available to function
- Dose is more predictable as it only affects factor Xa
- Decreased dose frequency
- Decreased side effects as only targets 1 factor
- Can be used at home = more convenient
How does warfarin work?
Competitively inhibits vitamin K reductase and therefore inhibits the formation of factors II, VII, IX & X (as vitamin K is essential for synthesis of coagulation factors). Also anticoagulation protein C and it cofactor protein S