The status of new anticoagulants.
Currently available anticoagulants include heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux and warfarin. Despite advances with low-molecular weight heparin and fondaparinux, the currently available agents have limitations that have provided the impetus for the development of new drugs for prevention and treatment of both venous and arterial thromboembolism. Novel anticoagulants targeting specific steps in coagulation are in various stages of development. This paper reviews the pharmacology of these new agents and describes the results of clinical trials with new anticoagulants in more advanced stages of clinical testing.
Bates
Shannon M
SM
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada.
Weitz
Jeffrey I
JI
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005544:Forecasting; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013917:Thrombin