Drug Therapy for Coagulation Disorders

These flashcards cover the vocabulary and key concepts related to drug therapy for coagulation disorders.

Anticoagulants

Drugs that prevent formation of new clots and extension of clots already present; do not dissolve formed clots.

Antiplatelet Drugs

Drugs that prevent one or more steps in the prothrombotic activity of platelets.

Thrombosis

Formation of a blood clot.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and remains attached to its place of origin.

Embolus

An object that migrates through the circulation until it lodges in a blood vessel, causing occlusion.

Fibrinolysin

An enzyme that breaks down the fibrin meshwork that stabilizes blood clots.

Hemostasis

Prevention or stoppage of blood loss from an injured blood vessel and maintenance of the integrity of the vascular compartment.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

An immune-mediated adverse effect that leads to thrombogenesis and a decrease in platelet count associated with heparin administration.

Thrombolytics

Drugs that dissolve blood clots.

Vitamin K antagonists

A class of anticoagulants, such as warfarin, that inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs)

Agents that inhibit thrombin directly, including drugs like dabigatran.

Direct factor Xa inhibitors

Agents that inhibit factor Xa directly and include drugs like rivaroxaban and apixaban.

Prothrombin time (PT)

A laboratory test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot; used to monitor warfarin therapy.

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

A test that measures the efficacy of the intrinsic pathway and common pathway of coagulation; used to monitor heparin therapy.

Protamine sulfate

An antidote for heparin and low molecular weight heparins.

Idarucizumab

A monoclonal antibody used as an antidote for dabigatran in cases of uncontrolled or life-threatening bleeding.

Aspirin

An antiplatelet drug that inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking thromboxane A2.

Clopidogrel

An antiplatelet medication that belongs to the class of ADP receptor antagonists.

Tenecteplase

A thrombolytic agent used to dissolve clots in myocardial infarction.

Atherosclerosis

A disease process characterized by the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on arterial walls.

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

The formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, commonly in the legs.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually caused by blood clots.