Anticoagulation

Anticoagulation is a medical treatment that involves the use of medications to prevent the formation of blood clots or to reduce the risk of existing blood clots from getting larger. Blood clots can form in blood vessels due to various conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.

Anticoagulant medications, also called blood thinners, work by interfering with the blood clotting process. They do not dissolve existing blood clots but can prevent new ones from forming. Commonly used anticoagulants include heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban. Anticoagulation therapy is prescribed by healthcare providers and requires careful monitoring to prevent bleeding complications.