last updated 19-03-2024

Anticoagulation

Anticoagulation and antithrombogenic factors

Thrombin formation is downregulated by several mechanisms.

  • The tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) inhibits the activity of the TF-factor VIIa-complex.
  • Activated Protein C (APC) with Protein S as cofactor inactivates the activated cofactors Va and VIIIa. APC is formed from Protein C at the endothelial surface by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex.
  • Factor Xa and thrombin are inhibited by antithrombin (AT). Heparin acts as a cofactor of this reaction.
  • Prostacyclin (PGI2) which is released by the endothelium inhibits platelet activation. 

In vivo, fibrin formation is regulated by thrombin formation (balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant reactions) while fibrinolysis is regulated by plasmin formation (balance between profibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic reactions).

 

 

 

 

 

 

TFPI = tissue factor pathway inhibitor

TF = tissue factor

NO = nitric oxide

PGI2 = prostacyclin

PC = protein C

APC = activated protein C

TM = thrombomodulin

IIa = thrombin

AT = antithrombin

The graphic above shows the different drugs involved in anticoagulation.

1

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2

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