bivalrudin (a) is administered po in patients undergoing angioplasty (b) works on phosphodiesterase to prevent platelet aggregation (c) promotes clotting by enhancing the activity of thrombin (d) is typically used in combination with aspirin, clopidogrel or prasugrel
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is (d) is typically used in combination with aspirin, clopidogrel, or prasugrel.
Explanation:
Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor, commonly used in clinical settings, especially during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) like angioplasty. It works by inhibiting thrombin, which is crucial in the coagulation cascade for converting fibrinogen into fibrin, leading to clot formation. Here is a breakdown of why option (d) is the correct answer and why the other options are incorrect:
- (a) is administered po in patients undergoing angioplasty:
- Incorrect. Bivalirudin is not administered orally (po). It is an intravenous (IV) medication, typically given as a bolus followed by continuous infusion. Oral administration is not applicable for this drug.
- (b) works on phosphodiesterase to prevent platelet aggregation:
- Incorrect. Bivalirudin does not work by inhibiting phosphodiesterase. Instead, it directly inhibits thrombin (factor II), preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, thereby stopping clot formation. Drugs that inhibit phosphodiesterase, such as dipyridamole, are used for platelet aggregation, but this is not the mechanism of action of bivalirudin.
- (c) promotes clotting by enhancing the activity of thrombin:
- Incorrect. Bivalirudin does not promote clotting. It works by inhibiting thrombin, thereby preventing the formation of clots. By blocking thrombin’s activity, it effectively reduces clot formation during procedures like angioplasty.
- (d) is typically used in combination with aspirin, clopidogrel, or prasugrel:
- Correct. In clinical practice, bivalirudin is frequently used in combination with other antiplatelet agents like aspirin, clopidogrel, or prasugrel, particularly in patients undergoing PCI or angioplasty. These combinations help in preventing both thrombin-induced clotting and platelet aggregation, improving patient outcomes during angioplasty.
In summary, bivalirudin is an effective anticoagulant that directly inhibits thrombin, and it is typically combined with other antiplatelet medications to improve outcomes in angioplasty procedures.
