title: Anticoagulant therapy in unstable angina.
abstract: The goal of anticoagulant therapy in unstable angina is to prevent progression of a subocclusive coronary thrombus to complete occlusion of the coronary artery, thereby preventing myocardial infarction and death. Although these have been many advances in therapy with anticoagulants, considerable morbidity and mortality remains. Also, although combination therapy with potent novel anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents may be an alternative strategy, this needs to be balanced against the risks of hemorrhagic complications. More precise and biologically relevant methods of monitoring anticoagulant effect, along with appropriately modified doses given in combination offers promise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Choy
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D018450:Disease Progression; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024764:Hirudin Therapy; D006629:Hirudins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010875:Pipecolic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000991:Antithrombins; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006629:Hirudins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010875:Pipecolic Acids; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin; D001120:Arginine; C031942:argatroban; C074619:bivalirudin