Antiplatelet agents

From WardWiki - Foundation Doctor Helper

Antiplatelet agents prevent platelet aggregation and are used in the treatment and prevention of arterial thrombosis. The loading and maintenance does are given below:

Contents 1 Oral antiplatelet agents 1.1 Aspirin 1.2 Clopidogrel 1.3 Dipyramadole 2 Parenteral anticoagulants 2.1 Unfractionated heparin 2.2 Low molecular weight heparin 2.3 Glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors

Oral antiplatelet agents

Aspirin

300mg od as a loading dose

75mg od in coronary and peripheral vascular disease

300mg od post embolic stroke

Stop seven days before elective surgery unless otherwise stated by the surgeon

Clopidogrel

300mg od as a loading dose

75mg od in coronary and peripheral vascular disease

Stop seven days before elective surgery unless otherwise stated by the surgeon

Dipyramadole

200mg twice daily as a modified release dose post embolic stroke

Use with caution with existing angina as this can worsen or dipyramadole.

Stop seven days before elective surgery unless otherwise stated by the surgeon

Parenteral anticoagulants

Unfractionated heparin

See main article: Heparin

Low molecular weight heparin

See main article: Low molecular weight heparin

Glycoprotein 2b/3a inhibitors

These are very expensive highly effective antiplatelet agents used in high risk acute coronary syndromes, especially when the patient is prepared for percutaneous intervention. The choice of agent varies by trust so keep to existing protocols. Their use outside cardiology is extremely rare. Their actio is prolonged and extreme caution must be exercised when removing femoral arterial sheaths from such patients.