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
Platelets are cells that help with blood clotting and coagulation. When there is an injury, platelets help form a plug to stop bleeding by clumping together and releasing chemicals that promote clotting.
Yes, coagulation begins with vasoconstriction and the formation of a platelet plug at the site of injury. This is followed by activation of clotting factors leading to the formation of a stable fibrin clot to stop bleeding.
Fibrin. Insoluble protein fibers that form the basic framework og a blood clot.
True. Blood platelets are essential in the process of coagulation, where they help stop bleeding by forming a blood clot at the site of injury.
Coagulation is the process of blood forming clots. Blood that is essentially too "thick" may form clots within the body leading to a stroke, heart attack, or blood clots in places like the lungs or legs. If a patient is put on an anti-coagulant or "blood-thinner" it reduces the time in which the blood coagulates thus helping to prevent these clots.
Another term for coagulation is clotting, which refers to the process where blood changes from a liquid to a gel-like state to stop bleeding.
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.
Platelets are cells that help with blood clotting and coagulation. When there is an injury, platelets help form a plug to stop bleeding by clumping together and releasing chemicals that promote clotting.
The humoral coagulation system refers to the protein coagulation factor component.
Coagulation or clotting means to stop blood flow.
Yes, coagulation begins with vasoconstriction and the formation of a platelet plug at the site of injury. This is followed by activation of clotting factors leading to the formation of a stable fibrin clot to stop bleeding.
Coagulation is a process where solids begin to form, in a liquid. Like when your cut begins to scab over, that is coagulation.
Fibrin. Insoluble protein fibers that form the basic framework og a blood clot.
what is blood coagulation?
Coagulation is the thickening of a dish due to gelling of fat or gelatin.
The word "clotting" applies to the coagulation of blood.