Med. praxi. 2012;9(5):230-232

New antithrombotic drugs and their current indications

doc.MUDr.Tomáš Kvasnička, CSc.

Trombotické centrum, ÚLBLD, VFN a 1. LF UK, Praha

Due to its incidence, morbidity, and mortality, thromboembolic disease (TED) is a major global socioeconomic issue. Antithrombotic

prevention and treatment are among the most widespread issues in contemporary medicine. TED remains to be one of the leading

causes of mortality and morbidity. Currently, heparins, pentasaccharides, and warfarin are used in this area. The latter, in spite of its undeniable

effect, is a problematic drug, particularly for the interindividual variability of its effect, risk of drug as well as food interactions,

and a narrow therapeutic window. The development of new, orally effective anticoagulants has focused primarily on direct thrombin

inhibitors and direct factor Xa inhibitors. From the former group, dabigatran has been approved for clinical use in the Czech Republic,

namely for the prevention of thromboembolic events in orthopaedics; from the latter group, rivaroxaban and apixaban have been approved.

Dabigatran has been the first to be approved in the Czech Republic for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

and rivaroxaban is expected to be approved in this indication while also being indicated for the treatment of TED.

Keywords: antithrombotic drugs, new developments, diagnosis, treatment, prevention of TED

Published: May 31, 2012  Show citation