Emerging drugs for venous thromboembolism.
BACKGROUND
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), encompassing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a frequent and serious condition. Anticoagulant (AC) drugs are necessary and effective for primary prevention, treatment of acute phase and prevention of recurrences. The currently available ACs have several drawbacks which have prompted the search for new drugs.


METHODS
We analysed the advantages and disadvantages of the emerging ACs in comparison to currently available ACs by reviewing the available results of drugs that have Phase III clinical trials for prevention and treatment of VTE, published between 2003 and September 2009.


RESULTS
The reader will get information on efficacy and safety of new ACs in comparison to the standard treatment for prevention of VTE after elective major orthopaedic surgery and on the prospects of their use for treatment of VTE.


CONCLUSIONS
These new ACs will be an important step forward for an easier, effective and safe prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of VTE. Some grey areas in their use require, however, a careful consideration and an accurate post-marketing investigation.
Palareti
Gualtiero
G
University Hospital S. Orsola-Malpighi, Department of Angiology and Blood Coagulation Marino Golinelli, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy. gualtiero.palareti@unibo.it
Cosmi
Benilde
B
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D013917:Thrombin