L31 Heparin Anticoagulants I Flashcards
What are the three general functions of anticoagulant drugs?
To keep blood in a fluid state for the prophylaxis and treatment of thrombosis and for surgical indications
Heparin is a naturally occurring anticoagulant found in ___ along with histamine and serotonin.
Granules of mast cells
Heparin is a strongly ___ (basic/acidic) ___ composed of repeating units of sulfated glucuronic acid and sulfated glucosamine.
Acidic; mucopolysaccharide
Describe the composition of heparin.
It is very heterogenous and is composed of various MW components (low, medium, and high)
What is the source of heparin?
Tissue rich in mast cells (beef lung and porcine intestine)
Heparin is dosed in units. 1 mg = ___ units.
~180
Discuss the general MOA of heparin.
- Inhibits the action of activated factor 10a and 2a (thrombin
- Inhibits the action of 12a and 11a
- Inhibits the aggregation of platelets at high concentrations
Discuss the detailed MOA of heparin.
Heparin binds to anti-thrombin III. It induces a conformational change in AT III that exposes a serine protease. This site is able to bind other coagulation proteins and inhibit their activation.
True or false - without AT III, heparin is a weak inhibitor of coagulation.
True
Anti-thrombin is a glycoprotein produced by the ___. It is also a serpin - what does this mean?
Liver; serine protease inhibitor
Discuss the plasma clearing effect of heparin.
Heparin releases lipase and clears turbid plasma of fat chylomicrons
Heparin also binds to vascular lining - what does this do?
Neutralizes the positive charge
Heparin also binds to sub-endothelial cells - what does this do?
Cause release of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI)
How is heparin administered?
IV and subcutaneous; not oral or rectal
How is the anticoagulant effect of heparin monitored?
APTT
What is the therapeutic range of heparin as measured by the APTT?
2.0-2.5 times baseline
What is the onset of action and the half life of heparin?
Onset of action: 5-10 minutes; half life (IV): ~1 hour depending on the dose
The PK of heparin is ___-dependent.
Dose
What are the 4 endogenous modulators of heparin action?
- Anti-thrombin (main heparin co-factor)
- Heparin cofactor II
- TFPI
- Platelet factor 4 (heparin neutralizing protein)
If you have deficiency of Anti-thrombin, what is the effect of heparin?
No effect
What are the two major side effects of heparin?
- Hemorrhagic complications
2. Heparin induced thrombocytopenia and heparin induced thrombosis
What happens in heparin induced thrombocytopenia?
Anti-heparin platelet factor 4 antibodies are generated; these activate platelets and endothelial cells, leading to thrombosis
What are 2 additional side effects of heparin?
- Osteoporotic manifestations with spontaneous fracture
2. Alopecia
In addition to therapeutic, surgical, and prophylactic anticoagulation, what is one other clinical use of heparin?
Unstable angina and related coronary syndromes
What are contraindications for the use of heparin?
Patients with HIT or other heparin allergies, active bleeding, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, recent brain surgery
What is the major heparin antagonist and where is it found?
Protamine sulfate; fish sperm