**Core Concept**
Aspirin and other antiplatelet agents work by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is involved in the production of thromboxane A2, a potent platelet aggregator. This leads to an increase in bleeding time.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX-1 in platelets, which is responsible for the production of thromboxane A2. Thromboxane A2 is a powerful stimulator of platelet aggregation, and its inhibition leads to a significant decrease in platelet aggregation and an increase in bleeding time. This effect is more pronounced with aspirin compared to other antiplatelet agents like clopidogrel, as aspirin acts directly on the platelets, whereas clopidogrel works by inhibiting ADP receptor P2Y12 in platelets.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not provided, so we cannot evaluate it.
**Option B:** Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits the production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, but its effect on bleeding is not as rapid as aspirin's effect on platelet aggregation.
**Option C:** Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent that inhibits the ADP receptor P2Y12 in platelets, but its effect on bleeding is not as pronounced as aspirin's effect on thromboxane A2 production.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Aspirin's effect on platelet aggregation is irreversible, which means that it takes several days for new platelets to be produced and for the effect to wear off.
**Correct Answer: A. Aspirin.
Free Medical MCQs Β· NEET PG Β· USMLE Β· AIIMS
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