Session 12 Anticoagulants Flashcards
What do anticoagulation drugs aim to do?
prevent thrombus formation and thrombus growing
What is regulation of the coagulation cascade essential for?
regulation is essential to prevent solidification of all blood
what are coagulation factors present in blood as?
they are present in blood as inactive zymogens, serine proteases and cofactors
where in the body are heparins produced naturally?
mast cells and vascular endothelium
How does unfractionated heparin work?
UFH accelerates interaction of antithrombin with both thrombin and factor Xa
To catalyse inhibition of thrombin (IIa), what does heparin need to do?
simultaneously bind antithrombin(III) and thrombin(IIa)
NB: Xa inhibition only needs antithombin(III) binding
What are two examples of low molecular weight heparins?
dalteparin
enoxaparin
Pharmacokinetics of heparin (table in slides)
UFH vs LMWH
Dose response = Bioavailability = Metabolism = Monitoring = Administration = Initiation = Half life = Action = Use =
Dose response = non-linear vs predictable
Bioavailability = s.c. variable vs predictable
Metabolism = dose dependent (protein binding, depolymerisation, desulfation - 1st and 0 order) vs rapid liver or slower renal excretion
Monitoring = unpredictable (look at aPTT) vs no monitoring just U/kg dosing
Administration = intravenous infusion (S.C) vs S.C (NOT IM)
Initiation = IV bolus then IVI vs OB/BC s.c
Half life = 30 min low dose, 2h high dose vs 2+h
Action = IVI fast anticoagulation vs s.c. slower onset
Use = severe renal impairment and fine control vs most situations
Some indications for the use of heparins?
PREVENTION of venous thromboembolism
(perioperative prophylaxis with LMWH and dose is dependent on risk)
Can be used during pregnancy as it does not cross placenta - although needs to be monitored with caution
Acute Coronary Syndromes
short term - can reduce recurrence and/or extension of coronary artery thrombosis post STEMI
ADR’s related to heparins?
bruising and bleeding = most common
- location = intracranial, at site of injection, GI, nose bleed (epistaxis)
- higher risk if hepatic or renal impairment present, elderly or in those with carcinoma
heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
* more common with UFH (compared with LMWH)
hyperkalaemia
* as there is inhibition of aldosterone secretion
osteoporosis = least common
- from long-term use
- higher risk with UFH
- more prevalent in pregnancy
How does heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occur?
if there is an autoimmune response 2-14 days after initiation of heparin
antibodies produced to heparin platelet factor 4 complex –> depletion of platelets
this can paradoxically lead to thrombosis as more platelets are activated by damaged endothelium :(
when would you use protamine sulphate and how does it work?
given to reverse the effects of heparin
it forms an inactive complex with heparin and dissociates the heparin from antithrombin(III)
irreversible binding
amount given (IV) guided by the dose of heparin
but can cause bleeding! - perform an in vitro test if unsure
which type of heparin does protamine sulphate have more of an effect on?
UFH = greater effect than LMWH
NO effect on fondaparinux
How do vitamin K antagonists work?
inhibit activation of vitamin K dependent clotting factors
inhibits conversion of vitamin K to active reduced form
competitive inhibition of VK epoxide reductase = VKOR
Which drug is a vitamin K antagonist?
warfarin
