Direct Thrombin Inhibitors

O'Brien, Joshua P. MD
Mureebe, Leila MD

¹Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

Corresponding Author:

P. Joshua O'Brien, MD, Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 2833, Durham, NC 27710, USA

Email: [email protected]

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Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 17(1):p 5-11, March 2012. | DOI: 10.1177/1074248410395941

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and pathologic coagulation plays an integral role in the development, propagation, and intervention of cardiovascular disease. The 2 classic anticoagulants, heparin and vitamin K antagonists, though having served humanity for nearly a century, are both inconvenient and nonspecific. Through both direct and indirect roles, thrombin is essential to coagulation, and makes for a very attractive target in medical intervention of pathologic thrombosis. This article will review the nature of direct thrombin inhibitors, current indications, and ongoing trials.