Antithrombotic
An antithrombotic agent is a drug that reduces the formation of blood clots (thrombi).[1][2] Antithrombotics can be used therapeutically for prevention (primary prevention, secondary prevention) or treatment of a dangerous blood clot (acute thrombus). In the U.S., the American College of Chest Physicians publishes clinical guidelines for clinicians for the use of these drugs to treat and prevent a variety of diseases.[citation needed]
Processes
Different antithrombotics affect different blood clotting processes:
- Antiplatelet drugs limit the migration or aggregation of platelets.
- Anticoagulants limit the ability of the blood to clot.
- Thrombolytic drugs act to dissolve clots after they have formed.
See also
References
- ^ "Antithrombotics" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?antithrombotic [dead link]
External links
- Antithrombotic Therapy / American Society of Hematology
Major chemical drug groups – based upon the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System | |
|---|---|
| gastrointestinal tract / metabolism (A) | |
| blood and blood forming organs (B) | |
| cardiovascular system (C) | |
| skin (D) | |
| genitourinary system (G) | |
| endocrine system (H) | |
| infections and infestations (J, P, QI) | |
| malignant disease (L01–L02) | |
| immune disease (L03–L04) | |
| muscles, bones, and joints (M) | |
| brain and nervous system (N) |
|
| respiratory system (R) | |
| sensory organs (S) | |
| other ATC (V) | |
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