Direct thrombin inhibitors.
Direct thrombin inhibitors interact with thrombin and block its catalytic activity on a wide range of substrates. Their action is in contrast to heparin and its derivatives, which inhibit thrombin and other coagulation serine proteases via antithrombin, and to the warfarin-type drugs that interfere with synthesis of the precursors of the coagulation serine proteases. There are three direct thrombin inhibitors approved for clinical use at present (lepirudin, bivalirudin, argatroban) and another in advanced clinical testing (melagatran/ximelagatran). The chemical structure, kinetics of thrombin inhibition, pharmacokinetics, and clinical use of each of these agents are discussed.
Hematology-Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Karen L
KL
Kaplan
Charles W
CW
Francis
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D013917:Thrombin