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What Is the Difference between Coagulants and Anticoagulants?

T. Carrier
T. Carrier

Both coagulants and anticoagulants are substances that have a primary use in the medical world. They both deal specifically with blood, but the difference lies in the impact each has on this substance. Coagulants promote blood clotting and are therefore mostly used as a means of blood loss prevention. In contrast, anticoagulants hinder the formation of blood clots or dissolve already-formed clots. These substances primarily prevent blood flow blockages.

The body uses clotting as a mechanism for alleviating the consequences of blood vessel damage. When trauma tears or otherwise hurts a blood vessel, bleeding occurs. Abundant blood loss can cause a number of dangerous consequences, from body shock to death. In order to stop bleeding, cell fragments called platelets join with particles known as fibrin molecules to thicken the blood around a wounded area. Subsequent coagulation thus stops the flow of blood outside the vessels.

Coagulants are drugs designed to help facilitate the clotting process. Some, such as desmopressin, strengthen platelets. Others, like prothrombin complex concentrate, combat the work of anticoagulant agents.

Heparin may be administered when a patient is at risk of developing a blood clot.
Heparin may be administered when a patient is at risk of developing a blood clot.

The hereditary disorder hemophilia perhaps best represents conditions that benefit from coagulants. In this condition, abnormalities hinder the proper formation of blood clots, which leads to prolonged bleeding even with minor cuts and scrapes. Managing this condition often necessitates the use of coagulation substances like Factors VII, VIII, and IX. These protein substances work with a material called tissue factor found outside blood vessels to create clotting agents.

Coagulants promote blood clotting, and are used as a means of blood loss prevention.
Coagulants promote blood clotting, and are used as a means of blood loss prevention.

Coagulants and anticoagulants differ in their aims toward clotting. While blood clots are beneficial most of the time, they can cause their own damage in some cases. Irregularities such as unusual blood composition or flow may cause the formation of unwanted and large clots inside blood vessels: a consequence known as thrombosis. These clots can eventually block the regular flow of blood, which may prevent parts of the body from receiving oxygen or other needed nutrients. If the blood clot travels to the lungs or brain, resulting damage from a stroke or pulmonary embolism can be particularly severe.

Serious problems with the coagulation process may necessitate a blood transfusion.
Serious problems with the coagulation process may necessitate a blood transfusion.

Scientists have developed anticoagulants as ant-clotting measures for the aforementioned scenarios. Antithrombin-activating heparin and vitamin K-antagonizing coumadin are two substances that may prevent unwanted clotting. Other anticoagulants directly work against clotting rather than activating or inhibiting a natural body substance for the task. These types include hirudin and argatroban. Likewise, plasmin and recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) can help dissolve already-formed clots.

For those on anticoagulant medications, even minor scrapes and cuts may require medical help to stop bleeding.
For those on anticoagulant medications, even minor scrapes and cuts may require medical help to stop bleeding.

In addition, medical professional often add anticoagulants to equipment that routinely holds or transports blood. Such equipment ranges from transfusion bags to test tubes. Blood should remain in a normalized state for medical procedures, so the anticoagulants help prevent inconvenient thickening. The presence of anticoagulants in medical equipment represents another distinction between coagulants and anticoagulants.

Seemingly minor injuries may lead to uncontrollable bleeding in children suffering from hemophilia.
Seemingly minor injuries may lead to uncontrollable bleeding in children suffering from hemophilia.

Generally speaking, the uses of coagulants and anticoagulants are at cross-purposes. The substances and processes that anti-coagulants work to hinder, coagulants will seek to promote and preserve. Further, the dangers of coagulants and anticoagulants are strongly divergent. While coagulants run the risk of forming unwanted clots, anti-coagulants run an equal risk of causing excessive bleeding.

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    • Heparin may be administered when a patient is at risk of developing a blood clot.
      By: NorGal
      Heparin may be administered when a patient is at risk of developing a blood clot.
    • Coagulants promote blood clotting, and are used as a means of blood loss prevention.
      By: p6m5
      Coagulants promote blood clotting, and are used as a means of blood loss prevention.
    • Serious problems with the coagulation process may necessitate a blood transfusion.
      By: Max Tactic
      Serious problems with the coagulation process may necessitate a blood transfusion.
    • For those on anticoagulant medications, even minor scrapes and cuts may require medical help to stop bleeding.
      By: WideAwake
      For those on anticoagulant medications, even minor scrapes and cuts may require medical help to stop bleeding.
    • Seemingly minor injuries may lead to uncontrollable bleeding in children suffering from hemophilia.
      By: soupstock
      Seemingly minor injuries may lead to uncontrollable bleeding in children suffering from hemophilia.
    • Heparin and other coagulants are often used to flush central line catheters to prevent blood from clotting in the tubes.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Heparin and other coagulants are often used to flush central line catheters to prevent blood from clotting in the tubes.
    • Coagulants are designed to strengthen platelets and help facilitate the clotting process.
      By: designua
      Coagulants are designed to strengthen platelets and help facilitate the clotting process.
    • Anticoagulants should not be given to a patient with a known clotting disorder, because of the risk of severe, uncontrolled bleeding.
      By: Monika Wisniewska
      Anticoagulants should not be given to a patient with a known clotting disorder, because of the risk of severe, uncontrolled bleeding.