Which of the following is a direct thrombin inhibitor?

Study for the Anticoagulation and ACS Exam with tailored flashcards and multiple choice questions, each featuring hints and detailed explanations. Prepare effectively and ensure success on your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a direct thrombin inhibitor?

Explanation:
Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor. It binds to thrombin’s active site and blocks thrombin from converting fibrinogen to fibrin, affecting both free and clot-bound thrombin directly. The other drugs listed—rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and apixaban—are inhibitors of factor Xa; they reduce the generation of thrombin by blocking factor Xa, but they do not inhibit thrombin’s activity itself. So, the key idea is distinguishing direct thrombin inhibition (dabigatran) from factor Xa inhibition (the others).

Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor. It binds to thrombin’s active site and blocks thrombin from converting fibrinogen to fibrin, affecting both free and clot-bound thrombin directly. The other drugs listed—rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and apixaban—are inhibitors of factor Xa; they reduce the generation of thrombin by blocking factor Xa, but they do not inhibit thrombin’s activity itself. So, the key idea is distinguishing direct thrombin inhibition (dabigatran) from factor Xa inhibition (the others).

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