Gerinnungshemmer

Gerinnungshemmer, also known as anticoagulants or blood thinners, are medications that prevent or reduce blood clot formation. Blood clots are a natural process essential for stopping bleeding, but they can also form inappropriately within blood vessels, leading to serious medical conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart attack.

These medications work by interfering with the body's clotting cascade, a complex series of protein interactions that culminates in the formation of fibrin, the main component of a blood clot. There are several types of gerinnungshemmer, broadly categorized into direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). DOACs, such as rivaroxaban, apixaban, and dabigatran, target specific clotting factors directly. VKAs, most commonly warfarin, interfere with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver. Another class, heparin, works by potentiating antithrombin, a natural anticoagulant.

Gerinnungshemmer are prescribed to patients with conditions that increase their risk of developing dangerous blood clots, such as atrial fibrillation, artificial heart valves, or following certain surgeries. The decision to prescribe a gerinnungshemmer, the choice of agent, and the dosage are individualized based on the patient's medical history, risk factors, and potential for bleeding complications. Regular monitoring, particularly for VKAs, is often necessary to ensure the medication is at an effective dose without causing excessive bleeding. Potential side effects include an increased risk of bleeding, ranging from minor bruising to severe internal hemorrhaging.