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International Angiology 2011 August;30(4):299-320

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Anticoagulant drugs: what is new?

Kei A. ¹, Florentin M. ^{1, 2}, Elisaf M. S. ¹, Liberopoulos E. N. ¹ ✉

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece 2 Department of Clinical Biochemistry (Vascular Prevention Clinics), Royal Free campus, University College London Medical School, University College London (UCL), London UK

Heparins and vitamin K antagonists have been the cornerstones of anticoagulation treatment for several decades. Despite their effectiveness, these agents have limitations which can include food and drug interactions and the need for monitoring. It follows that there is a need for new anticoagulants. There are numerous promising agents at various stages of evaluation. Those in the most advanced stages of development are the oral factor Xa and the thrombin inhibitors, which are the focus of this review.