Anti-coagulant

Definition of Anti-coagulant:

Any substance that, in vivo or in vitro, suppresses, delays, or nullifies coagulation of the blood. Anticoagulant agents include

• those that interfere with the formation of clots (antithrombotics), such as heparin and the coumarin compounds,
• those that are capable of disintegrating thrombi that have already formed (thrombolytics), and such as streptokinase and urokinase.
• A third group of anticoagulants, the antiplatelet agents, prevent the clumping together of platelets, a primary step in the formation of thrombi, especially in the cerebrovascular system. These agents are classified as antithrombocytics and are not to be confused with or used as a substitute for other types of anticoagulants.

[Miller-Keane2003].

Supercategories

•  ∧   
  Cardiovascular System

Subcategories

Examples

•  >   
  Garlic (Allium sativum)

References

[Miller-Keane2003] Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. (2003). Retrieved June 4 2016 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/anticoagulant.