Anticoagulation Therapy - Preventing Blood Clot Formation

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What are anticoagulants used for?

Anticoagulants are used to treat this, or stop it from happening. Anticoagulants interfere with different points in the clotting cascade. Warfarin, acenocoumarol and phenindione block the effects of vitamin K. They are also called 'vitamin K antagonists'. Vitamin K is needed to make important proteins (clotting factors) in the clotting cascade.

How do anticoagulants work?

Anticoagulants work by interfering with the normal clotting processes. Just like their name suggests, they prevent or undo coagulation, the process where your blood solidifies to form a clot. Depending on the type of anticoagulant, the clotting process disruption happens in different ways. Heparin and its derivatives

Which anticoagulants are used in coagulation?

Consequently, there have been several novel anticoagulants (NACs) developed, including direct thrombin inhibitors (e.g. dabigatran), and factor Xa inhibitors (e.g. rivaroxaban, apixaban), designed to target different points of the coagulation cascade ( Figure 2 ). 4, 5 Site of action of drugs.

What should a patient know about anticoagulants?

When an anticoagulant is indicated, patients should be informed about available treatment options including the associated risks and benefits. A medication management plan should be developed in consultation with the patient or carer (National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, 2012).

When is anticoagulation used in venous thromboembolism?

Anticoagulation is used in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli). The duration for anticoagulation in these clinical states depends on the precipitating circumstances, and additional thromboembolic risk and comorbidities.

What Is Anticoagulation Therapy

1. https://patient.info/heart-health/anticoagulants
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22288-anticoagulants
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560651/
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/anticoagulant-drugs
5. https://www.healthline.com/health/antithrombotic-therapy
6. https://www.nps.org.au/professionals/anticoagulants
7. https://medlineplus.gov/bloodthinners.html
8. https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Anticoagulation_therapy/
9. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/prevention--treatment-of-arrhythmia/a-patients-guide-to-taking-warfarin

Anticoagulation Therapy Information

1. https://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/keep-patients-safe/medication-safety/high-risk-medicines/anticoagulants
2. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/1152213/statewide-anticoagulant-guideline.pdf
3. https://www.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Corp/Documents/Health-for/WATAG/Living-with-warfarin.pdf
4. https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/~/media/Corp/Documents/Health-for/WATAG/Living-with-a-doac.pdf
5. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.017559