Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants are often referred to as blood thinners, which can be misleading as these agents do not make blood thin but instead prevent the formation or enlargement of blood clots. When an injury occurs, our body reacts by activating platelets and subsequently activating the formation of clot or thrombus in an attempt to minimize blood loss. The process that leads to the formation of blood clots is known as hemostasis. Dr. Rudorf Virchow first described the three distinct physiologic factors that lead to formation of blood clots: stasis, hypercoagulability, and endothelial injury, together known as the Virchow’s Triad. Stasis occurs when blood flow is altered or slowed down. This usually occurs during prolonged immobility. For example, long-duration flights may increase the risk for blood stasis. ...