Antiplatelet & Anticoagulants

🫀 Antiplatelet & Anticoagulants: Blood Thinning Drugs in Cardiology

🔹 Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) jaise heart attack, stroke aur coronary artery disease (CAD) ka sabse bada risk clot formation hai. Isliye doctors commonly prescribe karte hain blood thinning drugs – jinko hum antiplatelet aur anticoagulants kehte hain.

Ye medicines clot banne se rok kar heart aur brain ko protect karti hain. Aayiye detail mein samajhte hain.

🔹 1. Antiplatelet Drugs

Antiplatelets platelet aggregation ko block karke clot formation prevent karte hain. CAD aur post-stent patients mein ye sabse important therapy hai.

🧾 Common Antiplatelets

  • Aspirin – Standard drug in CAD (low dose 75–150 mg/day).
  • Clopidogrel – Cost effective, widely prescribed.
  • Prasugrel – More potent, often used post-PCI.
  • Ticagrelor – Fast & reversible, guideline-preferred in ACS.

👉 Doctors usually combine Aspirin + P2Y12 inhibitor (Clopidogrel/Prasugrel/Ticagrelor) = Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT).

🔹 2. Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants clotting cascade ko block karte hain, aur fibrin clot ban’ne se rok dete hain. Ye zyada tar Atrial Fibrillation (AF), DVT/PE, stroke prevention, aur mechanical valve patients mein use hote hain.

🧾 Common Anticoagulants

  • Warfarin, Acenocoumarol (Nicoumalone) – Old OACs, INR monitoring required.
  • DOACs (Direct Oral Anticoagulants) – Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran
    • Better safety
    • No INR monitoring
    • Increasingly popular in AF patients.
  • Heparin/LMWH – Enoxaparin, Dalteparin (mostly hospital-based injectable use).

🔹 3. Clinical Use Cases

  • Stable CAD → Aspirin monotherapy
  • ACS / Post-Stent (PCI) → DAPT (Aspirin + Clopidogrel/Prasugrel/Ticagrelor)
  • Atrial Fibrillation → DOACs (preferred), Warfarin in valve patients
  • DVT/PE → LMWH initially → then DOAC/Warfarin
  • Mechanical Heart Valve → Only Warfarin (DOACs not effective)

🔹 4. Prescribing Trends in India

  • Aspirin + Clopidogrel → Most common, cost-friendly
  • Ticagrelor / Prasugrel → Preferred in ACS & metro hospitals
  • DOACs → Rapidly growing in AF & stroke prevention
  • Warfarin → Still common in valve replacement cases
  • Enoxaparin → Acute hospital setting

🔹 5. Key Takeaways for Medical Professionals & Students

  • Antiplatelets = first choice in CAD & stent patients.
  • Anticoagulants = AF, DVT/PE, stroke prevention.
  • DOACs are replacing Warfarin due to better safety & convenience.
  • Therapy selection depends on patient profile, cost & clinical indication.

📝 Conclusion

Antiplatelet & anticoagulants cardiology ke sabse important drug classes hain jo clot formation rok kar life saving role play karti hain. Doctors ka preference patient ki condition, risk profile aur affordability par depend karta hai.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Patients should always consult a qualified doctor before starting or stopping any medication.

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