Question

Mr. Arnold is a 54-year-old male admitted with an acute myocardial infarction. His treatment plan includes aspirin 325 mg chew and swallow and an IV infusion of heparin and alteplase (Activase) to infuse over 2 hours.

Describe the therapeutic action of each anticoagulant medication related to the prevention and destruction of a blood clot?

Answer 1

Aspirin is non selective irreversible COX inhibitor and NSAID (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drug). It acetylates the Ser-529 in the active site.   

Acetylation involves in blockage of steric that prevents arachnoidic acid from binding to COX enzyme.

Heparin is Antithrombin III inhibitor by binding reversibly and form heparin-antiothrombin III complex.

This increases the rate at which AT III inactivates the coagulating enzymes like thrombin (factor IIa) and factor Xa.

Alteplase (activase) : It is fibrinolytic and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA/PLAT). It converts plasminogen to proteolytic enzyme plasmin that breaks down fibrinand fibrinogen.   

     

​