title: Update on pharmacologic therapy for pulmonary embolism.
abstract: Warfarin, unfractionated heparin (UFH), and low-molecular-weight heparins are anticoagulants that have been used for treatment of pulmonary embolism. Currently approved drugs for treatment of venous thromboembolism include UFH, enoxaparin, dalteparin, fondaparinux, warfarin, and rivaroxaban. The advent of newer oral anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban, dabigatran, and apixaban has provided us with alternative therapeutic options for long-term anticoagulation. This article will give an overview of the various anticoagulant drugs, use in various clinical scenarios, data supporting their clinical use, and recommendations regarding duration of anticoagulant therapy.
authors.affiliation: 1Cardiology Division, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Harikrishnan
authors.forename: Chandrasekar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palaniswamy
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014859:Warfarin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: apixaban; dabigatran; pulmonary embolism; rivaroxaban; warfarin