anticoagulant /an·ti·co·ag·u·lant/ (-ko-ag´u-lant) acting to suppress, delay, or nullify blood coagulation, or an agent that does this.
Anticoagulant
anticoagulant
anticoagulant [an″te-, an″ti-ko-ag´u-lant]
anticoagulant (anˈ·tē·kō·agˑ·y
·lnt),
anticoagulant (an´tīkōag´y
lnt),
anticoagulant
circulating anticoagulant a substance in the blood which inhibits normal blood clotting and may cause a hemorrhagic syndrome.
lupus anticoagulant a circulating anticoagulant that inhibits the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin; it paradoxically increases the risk of thromboembolism and is seen in some cases of systemic lupus erythematosus.
an·ti·co·ag·u·lant ( n t -k -g y -lnt, nt -)n. A substance that prevents the clotting of blood. adj. Acting as an anticoagulant. an ti·co·agu·lative (-l t v, -l-tv) adj. |
Anticoagulant
Drug used to prevent clot formation or to prevent a clot that has formed from enlarging. Anticoagulant drugs inhibit clot formation by blocking the action of clotting factors or platelets. Anticoagulant drugs fall into three groups: inhibitors of clotting factor synthesis, inhibitors of thrombin and antiplatelet drugs.
anticoagulant
[-kō·ag′yələnt/]
Etymology: Gk, anti + coagulare, curdle
1 pertaining to a substance that prevents or delays coagulation of the blood.
2 an anticoagulant drug. Heparin is a potent anticoagulant that interferes with the formation of thromboplastin, with the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, and with the formation of fibrin from fibrinogen. Phenindione derivatives administered orally or by injection are vitamin K antagonists that prevent coagulation by inhibiting the formation of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. See also antithrombotic.
anticoagulant [an″te-, an″ti-ko-ag´u-lant]
1. serving to prevent the coagulation of blood.
2. any substance that, in vivo or in vitro, suppresses, delays, or nullifies coagulation of the blood.
anticoagulant citrate phosphate dextrose adenine solution citrate phosphate dextrose adenine.
anticoagulant citrate phosphate dextrose solution citrate phosphate dextrose.
anticoagulant therapy the therapeutic use of anticoagulants to discourage formation of blood clots within a blood vessel. Its main purpose is preventive; however, thrombolytic action of an anticoagulant can destroy a clot and thereby improve the condition of the ischemic tissue supplied by the affected vessel. Conditions in which this therapy is used include occlusive vascular disease, such as coronary occlusion, cerebrovascular and venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. It is administered prophylactically when major surgery is planned for a patient with a history of arterial stasis, and for patients who must be immobilized for a prolonged period of time.
Anticoagulant agents include those that interfere with the formation of clots (antithrombotics), such as heparin and the coumarin compounds, and those that are capable of disintegrating thrombi that have already formed (thrombolytics), such as streptokinase and urokinase. A third group of anticoagulants, the antiplatelet agents, prevent the clumping together of platelets, a primary step in the formation of thrombi, especially in the cerebrovascular system. These agents are classified as antithrombocytics and are not to be confused with or used as a substitute for other types of anticoagulants.
Anticoagulant agents include those that interfere with the formation of clots (antithrombotics), such as heparin and the coumarin compounds, and those that are capable of disintegrating thrombi that have already formed (thrombolytics), such as streptokinase and urokinase. A third group of anticoagulants, the antiplatelet agents, prevent the clumping together of platelets, a primary step in the formation of thrombi, especially in the cerebrovascular system. These agents are classified as antithrombocytics and are not to be confused with or used as a substitute for other types of anticoagulants.
Patient Care. The major difficulties that may arise during the course of anticoagulant therapy are hemorrhage and drug interaction. Observation of the patient for early signs of internal as well as external spontaneous bleeding is of primary importance. Health care personnel responsible for the care of these patients must be knowledgeable about the various laboratory tests and interpretation of their results in the administration of anticoagulant drugs and in assessment of the patient.
The effects of anticoagulants can be enhanced or inhibited by a variety of drugs and chemical compounds, especially the salicylates, barbiturates, and antibiotics. Ambulatory patients must be cautioned against taking any other drugs in combination with an anticoagulant agent without first consulting with the health care provider who prescribed the drug. This includes nonprescription or “over-the-counter” drugs as well as prescription drugs. Dietary restrictions such as fasting diets or those that limit the intake or utilization of the fat-soluble vitamin K can result in increased pharmacologic action of an anticoagulant.
The patient and family should be given adequate instruction in the purposes of anticoagulant therapy, the effects and side effects of other drugs and dietary intake on anticoagulant agents, and the need for regular contact with members of the health care team so that adequate monitoring of the patient's status can be continued as long as the patient is receiving an anticoagulant.
Instruction of the patient and significant others should include prevention of accidental injury, basic first aid measures to control bleeding should an accident occur, the danger signs that warrant immediate medical attention, and assurance that bleeding can be controlled. A Medic Alert bracelet should be worn to alert health care professionals in an emergency situation that the patient is taking anticoagulants.
Women of childbearing age need counseling about the effects of anticoagulants on contraceptive methods and reproduction. Those who are taking an anticoagulant for prevention of emboli cannot use oral contraceptives or an intrauterine device, which could cause endometrial bleeding. Should a patient think she is or desires to be pregnant, the primary care provider should be notified at once. Warfarin crosses the placental barrier and can cause fatal hemorrhage in the fetus. It can also enter the mother's milk and have an anticoagulant effect in the nursing baby. Heparin does not have these properties and can be substituted for warfarin when necessary.
The effects of anticoagulants can be enhanced or inhibited by a variety of drugs and chemical compounds, especially the salicylates, barbiturates, and antibiotics. Ambulatory patients must be cautioned against taking any other drugs in combination with an anticoagulant agent without first consulting with the health care provider who prescribed the drug. This includes nonprescription or “over-the-counter” drugs as well as prescription drugs. Dietary restrictions such as fasting diets or those that limit the intake or utilization of the fat-soluble vitamin K can result in increased pharmacologic action of an anticoagulant.
The patient and family should be given adequate instruction in the purposes of anticoagulant therapy, the effects and side effects of other drugs and dietary intake on anticoagulant agents, and the need for regular contact with members of the health care team so that adequate monitoring of the patient's status can be continued as long as the patient is receiving an anticoagulant.
Instruction of the patient and significant others should include prevention of accidental injury, basic first aid measures to control bleeding should an accident occur, the danger signs that warrant immediate medical attention, and assurance that bleeding can be controlled. A Medic Alert bracelet should be worn to alert health care professionals in an emergency situation that the patient is taking anticoagulants.
Women of childbearing age need counseling about the effects of anticoagulants on contraceptive methods and reproduction. Those who are taking an anticoagulant for prevention of emboli cannot use oral contraceptives or an intrauterine device, which could cause endometrial bleeding. Should a patient think she is or desires to be pregnant, the primary care provider should be notified at once. Warfarin crosses the placental barrier and can cause fatal hemorrhage in the fetus. It can also enter the mother's milk and have an anticoagulant effect in the nursing baby. Heparin does not have these properties and can be substituted for warfarin when necessary.
anticoagulant (anˈ·tē·kō·agˑ·y
·lnt),n a substance that inhibits blood clotting.
anticoagulant (an´tīkōag´y
lnt),n a drug that delays or prevents coagulation of blood.
anticoagulant
1. serving to prevent the coagulation of blood.
2. any substance that, in vivo or in vitro, suppresses, delays or nullifies coagulation of the blood.
There is limited therapeutic use for anticoagulants in animals; their importance is in the collection of blood for testing and for transfusion and in toxicology.
anticoagulant drugs
anticoagulant poisoning
see dicoumarol, warfarin.
anticoagulant rodenticide
includes warfarin, pindone, diphacinone, phentolacin, Valone.
snake venom anticoagulant
anticoagulant
A general term for any substance that prevents coagulation of blood Hematology Anticoagulants administered to prevent or treat thromboembolic disorders include heparin, a parenteral agent which inactivates thrombin and other
clotting factors and oral anticoagulants–warfarin, dicumarol et al, which inhibit the hepatic synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors Lab medicine Anticoagulants used to prevent clotting of blood specimens for laboratory analysis:
heparin and substances that make Ca2+ unavailable for clotting–eg, EDTA, citrate, oxalate, fluoride Medtalk Blood thinner Transfusion medicine Anticoagulant solutions used to preserve stored whole blood and blood fractions: ACD–acid
citrate dextrose, CPD–citrate phosphate dextrose, CPDA-1–citrate phosphate dextrose adenine and heparin
Anticoagulants–categories & uses
- Coumadin ® Prevent blood clot formation
- Heparin Prevent blood clot formation
- Thrombolytics, eg tPA, streptokinase–dissolve blood clots
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