Anticoagulants
What are anticoagulants used for?
Prevents formation and growth of blood clots
What are antiplatelets used for?
Prevents thrombosis in ARTERIES
What are thrombolytics used for?
"clot busters"
Lab tests used to monitor Heparin
PTT
Lab tests used to monitor Warfarin
PT and INR
True or False: labs need to be monitored for anticoagulants
FALSE! labs do not need to be monitored
What is the most commonly prescribed antiplatelet?
What is the biggest complication of taking thrombolytics?
hemorrhage
What is the antidote for Heparin?
What is the antidote for Warfarin?
Vitamin K (mild bleeding)
Fresh frozen plasma (severe)
How should you administer low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)?
How many days before surgery should Aspirin be discontinued?
7 days before surgery
Name 3 thrombolytics
- Alteplase
- Tenecteplase
- Reteplase
SQ or IV
What route is Warfarin given?
PO ONLY!
True or False: Heparin is absorbed poorly through the GI tract
TRUE
Antiplatelets are mostly prophylactic, which means it prevents what?
- Family hx of MI/stroke
- Repeat MI/stroke
- Stroke for pt already having TIAs
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar); used to stop bleeding
What can inactivate Heparin?
nicotine
What is a rare complication from taking Warfarin?
Purple toe syndrome
Signs and symptoms that might indicate bleeding
Black tarry stools, Petechiae, Bruising, Nose bleed, Eye hemorrhages, Hematuria
Contraindications of antiplatelets?
Bleeding peptic ulcers, Active bleeding, Intracranial hemorrhage
RANDOM QUESTION!!
Differentiate between STEMI and NSTEMI
STEMI - Complete blockage, ST elevation (MI is happening), No blood getting through coronary artery, heart muscle is dying, irreversible if nothing is done
NSTEMI - Incomplete blockage, No ST elevation (MI is coming), some blood gets through coronary artery, heart muscle is compromised, reversible
Desired range for heparin therapy, and what should you do if PTT is higher than this range?
PTT should be 46-70
If > 70 you should...
1) Stop med
2) Prepare antidote
3) Monitor labs
What is the normal range for INR and the desired INR range for heparin therapy?
Normal: 1.3-2.0
INR during Warfarin therapy: 2.0-3.0