Dual antithrombotic therapy dose-dependently alters hemostatic plug structure and function.

Background: Antithrombotic medications carry an inherent risk of bleeding, which may be exacerbated when anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapeutics are combined. Prior studies have shown different effects of antiplatelet vs anticoagulant drugs on the structure and function of hemostatic plugs in vivo.

Objectives: We examined whether dual antithrombotic treatment consisting of combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapeutics alters hemostatic plug structure and function differently from treatment with either therapeutic alone.