Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis
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Clin. Appl. Thromb. Hemost. · Apr 2003
ReviewManagement of thrombotic and cardiovascular disorders in the new millenium.
Anticoagulants and antithrombotic drugs have played a key role in the prophylaxis, treatment and surgica/interventional management of thrombotic and cardiovascular disorders. There are several newer drugs which are currently developed for the anticoagulant management of cardiovascular diseases in both the medical and surgical indications. These include the low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), antithrombin agents such as the Hirudin, Hirulog and Argatroban and indirect and direct anti-Xa drugs, represented by Pentasaccharide (Arixtra) and DX 9065a, respectively. ⋯ Since most of these newer anticoagulant and antithrombotic drugs are mono-therapeutic their therapeutic index is rather limited. Only in combination these agents can mimic heparins. At this time it is safe to state that heparin and its LMW derivatives will remain the anticoagulant of choice for cardiovascular indications until these newer agents have been validated in extended clinical trials in polytherapeutic settings.