title: Current anticoagulant safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently used anticoagulants such as unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin and vitamin K antagonists, have several drawbacks, mostly related to safety. In this review, we will briefly discuss and compare the safety of anticoagulation therapy with 'old' and new agents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Safety issues with anticoagulation therapy are mostly related to bleeding. The intensity of anticoagulation is related to the risk of bleeding and thus, for the efficacy not to be affected, must be maintained at the lower effective intensity. Several improvements have been made in the management of anticoagulation therapy; these include monitoring, pathology-based treatment schemes taking into account patient characteristics, patient education and the introduction of anticoagulation centers. Safety of novel anticoagulants is encouraging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Novel agents have the potential to compete with existing therapy for thromboprophylaxis, treatment and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Promising results have emerged from trials comparing them with existing treatment. Not long from now we will see these new agents in the armamentarium of antithrombotic drugs.
authors.affiliation: University of Padua School of Medicine, Cardiology Clinic, Thrombosis Center, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Gentian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Denas
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pengo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061214:Patient Safety; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents