New anticoagulants

Arterial and venous thromboembolism are a major health problem and a leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Novel – oral – anticoagulants (NOACs) have recently been introduced into the clinical arena after careful evaluation in clinical trials. They constitute a new array of unique, molecular base designed antithrombotic agents with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics characteristics. They have the potential of revolutionizing the treatment in our patients but at the same time important practical issues deserve our attention. This volume, written by international experts from Europe as well as North America, provides an update on current practice and recent advances in our understanding of the various aspects of prevention and treatment of patients with – a risk for – arterial and venous thrombotic disease. Starting with a chapter on the disadvantages of vitamin K antagonists, the following three chapters are dedicated to the primary and secondary prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation as well as with acute coronary syndrome. This part is followed by chapters on treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. Important chapters are discussing the management of bleeding occurring with the NOACs as well as the antithrombotic treatment with NOACS in elderly patients. A special chapter is updating us with the novel parenteral anticoagulants. A chapter on the cost effectiveness for NOACS completes this issue.
Source: Best Practice and Research. Clinical Haematology - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research