Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants reduce the blood’s ability to form and extend clots. They do not dissolve an established clot; instead, they prevent further clotting while the body gradually breaks down the clot that is already present. The benefit is prevention of stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep-vein thrombosis and clot-related complications. The cost is a deliberate increase in bleeding risk. Safe care therefore depends on two questions at every dose: Is anticoagulation still indicated, and is this patient showing evidence that the treatment is becoming unsafe?