What is the Difference Between Anticoagulant and Thrombolytic

The main difference between anticoagulant and thrombolytic is that anticoagulant interrupts the coagulation cascade, preventing thrombus formation, whereas thrombolytic promotes the thrombus lysis.  

Anticoagulants and thrombolytics are two compounds that prevent blood coagulation. They are important in preventing stroke and heart attack. 

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Anticoagulant
– Definition, Facts, Function
2. What is Thrombolytic
– Definition, Facts, Function
3. Similarities Between Anticoagulant and Thrombolytic
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Anticoagulant and Thrombolytic
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms  

Anticoagulant, Thrombolytic

What is Anticoagulant

Anticoagulant is a type of drug that stops blood clotting. It can break down existing blood clots and form blood clots. Therefore, it is important to prevent stroke, blood clots, and pulmonary embolism due to blood clots. Different forms of anticoagulant drugs exist, such as injections, intravenous drugs, and medications. Importantly, they prevent life-threatening events. Further, an anticoagulant is a plasminogen activator class drug. The other uses of anticoagulants include:

• Acute myocardial infarction.
• Acute peripheral arterial occlusion.
• Deep vein thrombosis.
• Intracardiac thrombus formation.
• Occlusion of indwelling catheters.
  
  

  Figure 1: Coagulation Cascade

Moreover, blockage from blood clots can cause three life-threatening events, including stroke, pulmonary embolism, and heart attack. Stroke can occur when blood clots travel to the brain and block the lumen of an artery. Small blood vessels can be blocked easily. Also, pulmonary embolism occurs when blood clots block the lungs’ arteries. If the blockage is severe, pulmonary embolism becomes deadly. Heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked. It can also be deadly. Major classes of anticoagulants include warfarin, factor Xa inhibitors, heparin, direct thrombin inhibitors, etc.

What is Thrombolytic

Thrombolytic is another type of drug that promotes the lysis of thrombus formation. Thrombolytic treatment or fibrinolytic therapy is the treatment that dissolves dangerous intravascular clots. It improves blood flow, preventing ischemic damage. However, thrombosis is a physiological response important in preventing hemorrhage in tiny or large vascular injuries. However, blood clots with no intravascular injuries impede blood flow, which is abnormal. They propel until they completely block an arterial lumen upon formation.

Figure 2: Blood Clot

Furthermore, thrombolytic agents can be given in two ways: local release by a catheter after navigating to the clot site or systemic administration through a peripheral IV. Thrombolytic agents are also called plasminogen activators. Importantly, they are serine proteases. Also, they are plasminogen activators that cleave inactive plasminogen into active plasmin, which is a key component of the fibrinolysis cascade. Examples of thrombolytic agents include streptokinase, alteplase, reteplase, Tenecteplase, urokinase, prourokinase, anistreplase (APSAC), and streptokinase.  

Similarities Between Anticoagulant and Thrombolytic

• Anticoagulants and thrombolytics are two compounds that prevent blood clotting.
• They are important in treating strokes and blood clotting.  

Difference Between Anticoagulant and Thrombolytic

Definition

Anticoagulant refers to medicines that reduce the ability of the blood to clot. In contrast, thrombolytic refers to using drugs to break up or dissolve blood clots, which are the main cause of heart attacks and stroke. 

Importance

Anticoagulant interrupts the coagulation cascade, preventing thrombus formation, while thrombolytic promotes the thrombus lysis.  

Function

Anticoagulant stops blood clotting, while thrombolytics activate plasminogen.

Examples

Examples of anticoagulants include warfarin, factor Xa inhibitors, heparin, direct thrombin inhibitors, etc., while examples of thrombolytics include streptokinase, alteplase, reteplase, Tenecteplase, urokinase, prourokinase, anistreplase (APSAC), and streptokinase.  

Conclusion

In brief, anticoagulants and thrombolytics are two agents that prevent the formation of blood clots. Anticoagulant is a drug that prevents the coagulation cascade. Thus, it prevents the formation of blood clots. Warfarin, factor Xa inhibitors, heparin, and direct thrombin inhibitors are examples of anticoagulants. In comparison, thrombolytic is another agent that promotes thrombus lysis through plasminogen activation. Examples of thrombolytics include streptokinase, alteplase, reteplase, Tenecteplase, urokinase, prourokinase, anistreplase (APSAC), and streptokinase. Therefore, the main difference between anticoagulants and thrombolytics is their function. 

References:

1. professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.-c). Anticoagulants (blood thinners): What they do, types and side effects. Cleveland Clinic. 
2. Baig MU, Bodle J. Thrombolytic Therapy. [Updated 2022 Sep 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Coagulation Cascade and Major Classes of Anticoagulants” By SteveKong3 – Own Work (CC-BY SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Blood clot diagram” By en:User:Persian Poet Gal – Own work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia