Editing Thrombus (section)

==Prevention==
{{Main|Thrombolysis|Thrombosis prophylaxis|Reperfusion therapy}}

[[Anticoagulant]]s are drugs used to prevent the formation of blood clots, reducing the risk of [[stroke]], [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] and [[pulmonary embolism]]. [[Heparin]] and [[warfarin]] are used to inhibit the formation and growth of existing thrombi, with the former used for acute anticoagulation while the latter is used for long-term anticoagulation.<ref name=":1" /> The mechanism of action of heparin and warfarin are different as they work on different pathways of the [[Coagulation|coagulation cascade]].<ref name="harter">{{cite journal|pmc=4307693|year=2015|last1=Harter|first1=K.|title=Anticoagulation Drug Therapy: A Review|journal=The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine|volume=16|issue=1|pages=11–17|last2=Levine|first2=M.|last3=Henderson|first3=S. O.|pmid=25671002|doi=10.5811/westjem.2014.12.22933}}</ref>

Heparin works by binding to and activating the enzyme inhibitor [[antithrombin|antithrombin III]], an enzyme that acts by inactivating thrombin and factor Xa.<ref name=harter/> In contrast, warfarin works by inhibiting [[vitamin K epoxide reductase]], an enzyme needed to synthesize vitamin K dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.<ref name=harter/><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology|isbn=9781451191776|edition= 6th|publisher=Wolters Kluwer|location=Philadelphia| oclc=881019575|last1 = Whalen|first1 = Karen|last2=Finkel|first2=Richard S.|last3=Panavelil|first3=Thomas A.|year=2015}}</ref> Bleeding time with heparin and warfarin therapy can be measured with the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and [[prothrombin time]] (PT), respectively.<ref name=":2" />