Anticoagulants, commonly referred to as blood thinners, are chemical substances that prevent or reduce coagulation of blood by prolonging the clotting time. The lifesaving benefits of these drugs often outweigh the potential dangers. Do you think you understand all there is about these drugs? Test you knowledge through the quiz below.
Atrial fibrillation
Venous thromboembolism
High risk of myocardial infarction
All of the above
Is a vitamin K antagonist
Is a thrombin inhibitor
Activates fibrinolysis
Binds to antithrombin III
Atrial fibrillation
Heart valve replacement
Deep vein thrombosis
Peripheral artery disease
6-12 hours
24-36 hours
2-7 days
8-10days
Thrombin time
International normalized ratio (INR)
Bleeding time
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Initially thrice daily, then twice daily, then daily, then weekly, and then monthly
Initially twice daily, then daily, then weekly, and then monthly
Initially daily, then weekly, and then monthly
Initially twice per week, then weekly, then every two or three weeks, and then monthly
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
Platelets
Protamine
Vitamin K or Vitamin K dependant coagulation factors
Any of the above
It binds to antithrombin III leading to anticoagulant effect
It exhibits varying anticoagulant response
Heparin therapy is monitored with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
All of the above
Does not require monitoring of activated partial thromboplastin time
Has a greater bioavailibility
Given subcutaneously therefore can be administered in “out of hospital setting”
All of the above
Anti-factor Xa level
Thrombin time
Prothrombin time
Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)
Protamine
Infusion of vitamin K dependant coagulation factors
Packed red blood cells
Platelets
Warfarin
Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs)
Unfractionated heparin
All of the above
Do not stop warfarin but check INR prior to surgery
Switch over to heparin two days prior to surgery and restart warfarin after surgery
Switch over to heparin five days prior to surgery and restart warfarin after surgery
Switch over to heparin seven days prior to surgery and restart warfarin after surgery
Stop warfarin 4-5 days prior to surgery
Start with full dose unfractionated heparin or LMWH 2-3 days preoperatively
Restart regular warfarin therapy after surgery once adequate haemostasis is achieved
All of the above
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