Skip to content

Tag: Hemorrhage

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

What is the Antidote for Thrombolytics? Understanding Reversal Strategies

4 min read
While the life-saving effects of thrombolytic therapy are critical in emergencies like strokes and heart attacks, the risk of serious bleeding is a major side effect, occurring in a small but significant number of patients. The management of this bleeding is a critical aspect of patient care, and there is no single, universal antidote for thrombolytics, but rather a multi-faceted protocol involving several agents and supportive measures.

When to Restart Anticoagulation After Hemorrhage?

4 min read
According to observational studies, discontinuing anticoagulation after a major bleed significantly increases the risk of thromboembolic events and death, yet restarting too early risks re-bleeding. Determining *when to restart anticoagulation after hemorrhage* is a nuanced balancing act between competing risks.

Why Would You Stop tPA? Understanding Critical Reasons and Complications

4 min read
According to the American Heart Association, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurs in a small but significant percentage of patients treated with intravenous tPA for acute ischemic stroke. This serious risk, along with other critical complications and contraindications, is precisely **why you would stop tPA** or not start it in the first place, with clinical decisions based on a careful weighing of the potential benefits and harms.

What is a major risk factor associated with anticoagulants?: Understanding Bleeding and Other Risks

5 min read
Anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, are prescribed to millions of people each year to prevent dangerous blood clots. However, the most significant and well-documented risk factor associated with anticoagulants is an increased risk of bleeding. This hemorrhage can range from minor issues like bruising to life-threatening internal bleeding, and its severity depends on multiple patient-specific and medication-related factors.

What is the most common adverse reaction to the use of anticoagulants?

3 min read
Bleeding is the primary and most frequent adverse drug event associated with anticoagulants, affecting a significant portion of patients, particularly with older medications like warfarin. This heightened bleeding risk is the most common adverse reaction to the use of anticoagulants and necessitates a careful balance between preventing dangerous blood clots and avoiding hemorrhage.

What are the signs and symptoms of a heparin overdose?

4 min read
While critical for preventing blood clots, excessive heparin can lead to serious bleeding complications. Recognizing what are the signs and symptoms of a heparin overdose is paramount for patient safety, as severe bleeding can quickly become life-threatening if not addressed promptly.

Can Paramedics Give TXA? Protocols and Evidence for Prehospital Use

4 min read
Research from studies like CRASH-2 has shown a significant reduction in mortality when tranexamic acid (TXA) is administered early to trauma patients with severe bleeding. This critical finding has led to widespread implementation, raising the important question: Can paramedics give TXA as part of prehospital trauma protocols?

What condition would exclude a patient from receiving alteplase?

2 min read
According to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association guidelines, one of the most critical exclusion criteria for alteplase (tissue plasminogen activator, tPA) is any sign of a current intracranial hemorrhage. This medication is a powerful thrombolytic, and its administration is based on a careful and rapid risk-benefit analysis, making it essential to identify what condition would exclude a patient from receiving alteplase before treatment.

Why Are Anticoagulants Considered High Risk?

5 min read
Millions of patients rely on oral anticoagulants annually to prevent and treat life-threatening conditions like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. However, despite their effectiveness, why are anticoagulants considered high risk medications, and what are the specific dangers involved?