Warfarin and Aspirin resistance

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2013

Just wondering if an elderly patient has aspirin resistance, can he still take warfarin as an alternative?
I also note that some articles may suggest both drugs can reduce the risk of recurrent heart diseases. Does it reduce the the chances of the event if the patient has yet to experience any at all??

What do you know about the mechanisms of aspirin and warfarin in anticoagulation? (Hint: They are different, and once you know what they are, you should be able to answer your own question!)

(Teach a man to fish and all that....)

sandrang1993 · Dec 5, 2013

Warfarin is an anticoagulant while aspirin is anti platelet. Yes they work differently but there is same outcome yes?? =/

sandrang1993 · Dec 5, 2013

What do you know about the mechanisms of aspirin and warfarin in anticoagulation? (Hint: They are different, and once you know what they are, you should be able to answer your own question!)

(Teach a man to fish and all that....)

Warfarin is an anticoagulant while aspirin is anti platelet. Yes they work differently but there is same outcome yes?? =/

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2013

Warfarin is an anticoagulant while aspirin is anti platelet. Yes they work differently but there is same outcome yes?? =/

Yes and no, and that doesn't mean they have additive effects. Or that "aspirin resistance" has anything to do with the mechanism of warfarin. There's not even good evidence that there is such a thing as "aspirin resistance." Aspirin Resistance Is Extremely Rare - Medical News Today

For a little more background on this, look up why patients are started on a heparin at the same time they start on warfarin, and why the heparin is discontinued (not tapered) when the warfarin dose is optimized (and how do they know it's optimized?).

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 5, 2013

warfarin is anti-coag, ASA is anti-platelet aggregation. Different actions

StudentOfHealing · Dec 5, 2013

Warfarin is an anticoagulant while aspirin is anti platelet. Yes they work differently but there is same outcome yes?? =/

Warfarin will basically interfere with Vitamin K ... remember Vitamin K is needed for coagulation.

Aspirin will keep platelets from sticking to each other.

So why would someone with Aspirin sensitivity not be able to take Warfarin? They work differently.

The outcomes differ.... sorta ...

With Aspirin ... Who do you usually see taking it? Heart patients right? This tells me it prevents issues in the coronary arteries... So the goal is to stop any further sticking/clumping ... aka aggregation of platelets in the coronary arteries ... so that we can prevent a possible episode of? ischemia.

Warfarin ... I always see being used for DVT.

Anybody please correct me if I'm wrong.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2013

Warfarin is a the classic for atrial fib, to prevent clots from forming there, for stroke prophylaxis. There are several new drugs out for that now, all touting the fact that dietary changes aren't necessary (remember vit K foods?) and regular blood tests aren't necessary (no more monthly or three-monthly pro times), but they may or may not be safer or more effective.