ANTICOAGULANT Meaning and
Definition
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Anticoagulant is a noun referring to a substance or drug that prevents or inhibits the formation of blood clots. These clots, also known as thrombi, are masses of coagulated blood that can obstruct blood vessels and lead to serious health issues such as strokes, heart attacks, and deep vein thrombosis. Anticoagulants work by interfering with the blood coagulation process, specifically the clotting factors or platelets responsible for the formation of thrombi.
Commonly prescribed anticoagulants include medications like heparin and warfarin, which target different stages of the clotting process and prevent fibrin, a protein essential for clotting, from forming. Other anticoagulants such as aspirin and clopidogrel inhibit platelet aggregation, impeding their ability to stick together and form clots.
Anticoagulants are vital in the management and prevention of various conditions related to blood clotting disorders, especially in cases where individuals may be at an increased risk of clot formation, such as those with atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, or artificial heart valves. They are also used during surgical procedures to reduce the risk of blood clots forming during or after the operation.
It is important to note that the use of anticoagulants requires careful monitoring due to the increased risk of bleeding, as these medications reduce the ability of blood to clot. Regular blood tests, such as the International Normalized Ratio (INR), are often conducted to ensure that the anticoagulant dosage is appropriate and to prevent excessive bleeding complications.
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1. Anticoagulative. 2. An agent preventing coagulation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of ANTICOAGULANT
The word "anticoagulant" has a Latin origin. It can be broken down into two parts:
1. "Anti" comes from the Latin word "ante", meaning "against" or "opposite to".
2. "Coagulant" comes from the Latin word "coagulans", which is the present participle of the verb "coagulare", meaning "to curdle" or "to thicken".
Thus, the combination of these two parts creates the term "anticoagulant", which denotes a substance or drug that works against or prevents coagulation, or the formation of blood clots.
Similar spelling words for ANTICOAGULANT
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