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Evolving Concepts in the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism: The Role of Factor Xa Inhibitors
Author(s) -
Nutescu Edith A.,
Helgason Cathy M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.24.10.82s.36121
Subject(s) - fondaparinux , medicine , ximelagatran , warfarin , pulmonary embolism , discovery and development of direct thrombin inhibitors , vitamin k antagonist , heparin , deep vein , intensive care medicine , antithrombotic , thrombosis , low molecular weight heparin , anticoagulant , direct thrombin inhibitor , tissue factor pathway inhibitor , coagulation , venous thromboembolism , thrombin , dabigatran , atrial fibrillation , tissue factor , platelet
Anticoagulation is an essential component of the care of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Traditional anticoagulants for the treatment of VTE include unfractionated heparin (UFH), low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH), and the oral vitamin K antagonist, warfarin. A variety of anticoagulant agents with improved pharmacologic and clinical profiles are emerging and offer benefits over the traditional therapies. One of the most recent advances has been the development of new agents, such as oral direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors, that have a more selective and targeted effect on the coagulation cascade. Recent clinical trials have evaluated fondaparinux, the first commercially available factor Xa inhibitor, in the treatment of patients with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and indicate efficacy and safety as compared with traditional options such as UFH and LMWH. Fondaparinux is a welcomed addition to the available antithrombotic options.