QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: GLOSSARY

Thrombin, thrombin antagonism

Activation of the coagulation cascade leads to the conversion of prothrombin in the blood to thrombin. Thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin. Thrombin activation in the blood is detected by measuring the levels in a blood sample of "prothrombin fragments F1+2". High levels of prothrombin F1+2 predict a worse outcome after a heart attack.

Anticoagulation with the thrombin inhibitor "hirudin" may have advantages over anticoagulation with heparin, but is seldom used because of cost, and the fact that there is no easy antidote if bleeding occurs. Hirudin does not inhibit platelet-rich thrombosis.

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