Anti-platelet drugs

Question 1

What is the treatment of arterial thrombosis?

Answer 1

Aspirin and other anti-platelet drugs

Question 2

How are platelets activated by ruptured plaques?

Answer 2

Platelets adhere to Von Willebrand factor on the damaged endothelium and become activated

Question 3

What is secreted by platelets after they have adhered to the site of injury?

Answer 3

ADP, thromboxane A2

Question 4

What is the mechanism of action of aspirin?

Answer 4

It inhibits cyclo-oxygenase and thus inhibits the production of thromboxane A2

Question 5

What are the side effects of aspirin?

Answer 5

Bleeding - particularly GI bleeds

Blocks production of prostaglandins - bronchospasm or GI ulceration may be seen

Question 6

What are clopidogrel and prasugrel?

Answer 6

ADP receptor antagonists that irreversibly inhibit P2Y12

Question 7

What is dipyridamole?

Answer 7

A phosphodiesterase inhibitor

Increases production of cAMP which inhibits platelet aggregation

Question 8

What is abciximab?

Answer 8

GP IIb / IIIa inhibitor

They inhibit platelet aggregation

Question 9

How can serious bleeding due to anti-platelet drugs be reversed?

Answer 9

Platelet transfusion

Question 10

What does ticagrelor do?

Answer 10

It is an ADP receptor antagonist

It reversibly inhibits P2Y12