Anticoagulants are prescription drugs that are used to treat a variety of conditions. Those available in the United States include warfarin sodium, heparin, and the low-molecular weight heparins, tinzaparin sodium and dalteparin. These medications are administered orally, into the fat layer under the skin, or into the vein.
Heart Attack
Anticoagulants are prescribed after certain types of heart attacks to prevent a future blood clot. They are occasionally used in patients with a history of unstable angina, a serious kind of chest pain in patients who are likely to have a heart attack. In this instance, they are given for the purpose of preventing a heart attack due to a blood clot.
Atrial Fibrillation
Patients with an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation are often prescribed anticoagulant therapy to prevent the formation of a blood clot. The American Heart Association reports that atrial fibrillation is the most common use of anticoagulant medications.
Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement
Patients who are surgically implanted with a mechanical heart valve, instead of a human, cow or pig valve, must take anticoagulant drugs to prevent blood clot formation near the valve. This therapy must continue for the life of the patient, as the risk for a clot never goes away.
Pulmonary Embolism
Anticoagulants are used to treat and prevent pulmonary emboli, which are blood clots in the lungs. These life-threatening clots are not dissolved by the medication, but they are prevented from growing larger.
Venous Thrombus
Anticoagulant drugs are used to prevent and treat venous thrombus, a blood clot in the vein that may block circulation. These clots can become loose in the bloodstream and cause a stroke or pulmonary embolus. Doctors sometimes prescribe anticoagulants for patients who are at risk for the development of a blood clot in a leg vein, called a deep vein thrombosis, after surgery. Also, some cancer patients are at risk of developing a venous thrombus, making them candidates for anticoagulant therapy.
Peripheral Arterial Embolism
The "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide" explains that a type of anticoagulant is used for the treatment and prevention of peripheral arterial embolism, a blood clot in an artery that interrupts the flow of blood to an arm or leg. These clots can permanently damage the arm or leg and often require surgical removal.
References
- American Heart Association: Anticoagulant Drugs
- Circulation: "Guide to Anticoagulant Therapy: Heparin"; Jack Hirsh, M.D., et al; 2001
- "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide"; Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
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