Drugs!! Blood thinners!

Question 1

Function of anticoagulants?

Answer 1

Inhibit the coagulation cascade

Question 2

What anticoagulants are we concerned with?

Answer 2

Coumadin/Warfarin

Heparin

Direct Thrombin Inhibitors

Direct Xa inhibitors

Question 3

Mechanism of Coumadin/Warfarin

Answer 3

Keeps Vitamin K in storage form

Stops Vitamin K dependent factors (II, VII, IX, and X)

Question 4

Mechanism of Heparin

Answer 4

Increase inhibitory effect of AT (antithrombin) which creates an irreversible complex with IIa, IXa, Xa, XIa, XIIa, and plasmin

Question 5

Mechanism of Direct Thrombin Inhibitors

Answer 5

Neutralizes thrombin by binding to the active site and extending fibrin bound thrombin

Question 6

Mechanism of Direct Xa inhibitors

Answer 6

Inhibits Factor Xa (no AT requires)

Question 7

Function of Anti-Platelets

Answer 7

Prevents platelet aggregation

Question 8

What drug that we are concerned with is an anti-platelet?

Answer 8

Aspirin

Question 9

Mechanism of Aspirin

Answer 9

Inhibits cyclooxygenase to reduce TXA2 production (which stimulates activation of new platelets and increases aggregation)

Question 10

Mechanism of thrombolytics (Fibrin specific or fibrin non-specific)

Answer 10

Dissolves the clot