An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation; that is, it stops blood from clotting. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some chemical compounds are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis equipment. Three primary ways to prevent coagulation medically currently exist:
Coumarines (Vitamin K antagonists)
The oral anticoagulants are a class of pharmaceuticals that act by antagonizing the effects of vitamin K. As the K vitamins are required for proper blood clotting, clotting is prevented. Available agents include:
* Warfarin (Coumadin), this is the main agent used in the U.S. and UK. * Acenocoumarol and phenprocoumon, this is used more commonly outside the U.S. and the UK * Brodifacoum, a rat poison, not used medically * Phenindione Heparin and derivative substances
Heparin is a biological substance, usually made from pig intestines. It works by activating antithrombin III, which blocks thrombin from clotting blood.
Direct thrombin inhibitors
Direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) are a class of medication that act as anticoagulants by directly inhibiting the enzyme thrombin. Some compounds include:
* Hirudin * Bivalirudin, transient inhibition - is cleaved by thrombin * Lepirudin * Desirudin * Argatroban * Melagatran, and its prodrug ximelagatran * Dabigatran
add salt in relative high quantities
Prothrombin time (PT) measures the activity of coagulation factors in the tissue factor pathway of the coagulation cascade.
normal coagulation time= 3 to 8 minutes.
Blood coagulation can occur either through an intrinsic or extrinsic pathway. The first step in either pathway begins with the production of Factor X,which marks the common pathway of coagulation.
Intrinsic pathway of coagulation (measured as PTT in laboratories).
Platelet
A coagulation cascade is the sequence of biochemical activities, involving clotting factors, that stop bleeding by forming a clot.
Fibrin is a compound in the body responsible for coagulation process, thereby helping to stop the bleeding.
Coagulation is when the blood thickens and solidifies, turning from a liquid into a gel. Clotting is when the chunks of coagulated blood forms a solid or semi-solid mass. Clotting is a healthy response to stop bleeding.
The humoral coagulation system refers to the protein coagulation factor component.
Coagulation or clotting means to stop blood flow.
Coagulation is a process where solids begin to form, in a liquid. Like when your cut begins to scab over, that is coagulation.
what is blood coagulation?
Prothrombin time (PT) measures the activity of coagulation factors in the tissue factor pathway of the coagulation cascade.
Coagulation is the thickening of a dish due to gelling of fat or gelatin.
Vitamin K is important in blood coagulation.
normal values of blood coagulation is 4 to 7 min
The word "clotting" applies to the coagulation of blood.