title: Clinical results with direct thrombin inhibitors.
abstract: Direct thrombin inhibitors inactivate thrombin without the need for antithrombin and some inactivate not only thrombin but also fibrin-bound thrombin. Hirudin has been shown to be more effective than low-dose unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in high-risk orthopaedic patients. Major studies are assessing the value of direct thrombin inhibitors in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Currently, argatroban is the drug of choice in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
authors.affiliation: Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus, and Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London, UK. anicolai@mdrtc.cing.ac.cy
authors.forename: Andrew N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Nicolaides
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D013917:Thrombin