title: Direct thrombin inhibitors.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and pathologic coagulation plays an integral role in the development, propagation, and intervention of cardiovascular disease. The 2 classic anticoagulants, heparin and vitamin K antagonists, though having served humanity for nearly a century, are both inconvenient and nonspecific. Through both direct and indirect roles, thrombin is essential to coagulation, and makes for a very attractive target in medical intervention of pathologic thrombosis. This article will review the nature of direct thrombin inhibitors, current indications, and ongoing trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. josh.obrien@duke.edu
authors.forename: P Joshua
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mureebe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000991:Antithrombins