Anticoagulants · Pharmacology

Why is 'bridging' with Heparin often required when starting a patient on Warfarin therapy?

  1. To prevent skin necrosis from rapid Protein C depletion
  2. To increase the absorption of Warfarin from the gut
  3. Because Heparin activates Vitamin K epoxide reductase
  4. To decrease the risk of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
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Correct answer: To prevent skin necrosis from rapid Protein C depletion

Warfarin inhibits Protein C and S (natural anticoagulants) faster than it inhibits Prothrombin. This creates a temporary prothrombotic window that can lead to microvascular thrombosis and skin necrosis if not covered by a rapid-acting anticoagulant.

Difficulty: Medium Question 8 of 20

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