New Anticoagulants in Children

Hematology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Young

AbstractThromboembolic complications are increasing in children and the use of anticoagulation has seen a dramatic increase despite the lack of randomized clinical trials. The most widely used agents in children are heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), and warfarin. These agents, however, have significant limitations that are exaggerated in children. Novel anticoagulants such as direct thrombin inhibitors and the selective factor Xa inhibitor, fondaparinux, have been approved for use in adults and have properties that suggest they may be safer and more efficacious than the standard agents; however, until recently, publications using these agents in children were limited to case reports. Recently, clinical trials for two direct thrombin inhibitors, bivalirudin and argatroban, have been completed and a clinical trial of fondaparinux is under way. This review will compare the standard agents with the novel agents and briefly review the results of the clinical trials.

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (01) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Harbrecht

SummaryVitamin-K-antagonists (VKA) and heparins have been complementary anticoagulants for prevention and treatment of thrombosis for almost 70 years. In contrast to heparins, VKA have not been modified pharmacologically, however treatment surveillance has improved by introducing INR and self-monitoring/management. Disclosure of the molecular basis of interaction with VKORC1, the target enzyme of VKA, has helped to better understand coumarin sensitivity and resistance. New oral anticoagulants have now been approved and stimulated expectations in patients and physicians to get rid of the burdening frequent controls of VKA without loss of efficacy and safety.This review will summarize the development and profile of the new substances. Main difference compared to VKA is their direct mode of action against one clotting factor which is factor IIa in dabigatran and factor Xa in rivaroxaban and other “xabanes” currently under intensive investigation. Half lifes of the new anticoagulants are much shorter than that of the mainly used coumarins (phenprocoumon, warfarin), making “anticoagulation bridging” unnecessary before surgery. Therapeutic width of direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors is broader and they are given at fixed doses. Clinical studies in thromboprophylaxis, thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation indicate at least non-inferiority or even superior efficacy compared with enoxaparin and VKA at comparable safety outcomes. Limitations of the new substances may arise from gastrointestinal side effects, mode of metabolism and route of elimination. Specific antidots are not available for none of them.Undoubtedly, the new oral anticoagulants are very promising. But, although thousands of study patients already have been treated, there are questions to be answered such as treatment adherence in absence of monitoring, safety and efficacy in risk patients, dosage adjustment and interactions with other drugs, before conclusions can be drawn towards their potential to replace VKA.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caio Julio Cesar dos Santos Fernandes ◽  
José Leonidas Alves Júnior ◽  
Francisca Gavilanes ◽  
Luis Felipe Prada ◽  
Luciana Kato Morinaga ◽  
...  

Worldwide, venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the leading causes of death from cardiovascular disease, surpassed only by acute myocardial infarction and stroke. The spectrum of VTE presentations ranges, by degree of severity, from deep vein thrombosis to acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Treatment is based on full anticoagulation of the patients. For many decades, it has been known that anticoagulation directly affects the mortality associated with VTE. Until the beginning of this century, anticoagulant therapy was based on the use of unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin and vitamin K antagonists, warfarin in particular. Over the past decades, new classes of anticoagulants have been developed, such as factor Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin inhibitors, which significantly changed the therapeutic arsenal against VTE, due to their efficacy and safety when compared with the conventional treatment. The focus of this review was on evaluating the role of these new anticoagulants in this clinical context.


Hematology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 2004 (1) ◽  
pp. 424-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey I. Weitz ◽  
Saskia Middeldorp ◽  
William Geerts ◽  
John A. Heit

Abstract Venous thromboembolism, which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is the result of an imbalance among procoagulant, anticoagulant and profibrinolytic processes. This imbalance reflects a complex interplay between genetic and environmental or acquired risk factors. Genetic thrombophilic defects influence the risk of a first episode of thrombosis. How these defects influence the risk of recurrence in patients whose first episode of venous thromboembolism was unprovoked is less certain. Thus, when anticoagulants are stopped, patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism have a risk of recurrence of at least 7% to 10% per year, even in the absence of an underlying thrombophilic defect. Consequently, there is a trend toward longer durations of anticoagulation therapy for these patients, which is problematic given the limitation of existing anticoagulants. This chapter provides an overview of the thrombophilic defects and how they influence the risk of venous thromboembolism. The chapter also details advances in anticoagulant therapy, focusing on new inhibitors of factor Xa and thrombin. In Section I, Dr. Saskia Middeldorp describes the various thrombophilic defects and reviews their relative importance in the pathogenesis of a first episode of venous thromboembolism. She then discusses the influence of these defects on the risk of recurrent thrombotic events in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism and in those whose thrombosis occurred in association with a known risk factor, such as surgery. In Section II, Dr. William Geerts reviews the pharmacology of new parenteral and oral factor Xa inhibitors and describes the results of the Phase II and III clinical trials with these agents. He then provides perspective on the potential advantages and drawbacks of these drugs for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. In Section III, Dr. John Heit focuses on direct thrombin inhibitors. He discusses their mechanism of action and compares and contrasts their pharmacological profiles prior to describing the results of Phase II and III clinical trials. Dr. Heit then provides perspective on the potential advantages and limitations of these drugs relative to existing anticoagulants.


2013 ◽  
Vol 109 (05) ◽  
pp. 769-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steen Husted ◽  
Lars Wallentin ◽  
Felicita Andreotti ◽  
Harald Arnesen ◽  
Fedor Bachmann ◽  
...  

SummaryAnticoagulants are a mainstay of cardiovascular therapy, and parenteral anticoagulants have widespread use in cardiology, especially in acute situations. Parenteral anticoagulants include unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, the synthetic pentasaccharides fondaparinux, idraparinux and idrabiotaparinux, and parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors. The several shortcomings of unfractionated heparin and of low-molecular-weight heparins have prompted the development of the other newer agents. Here we review the mechanisms of action, pharmacological properties and side effects of parenteral anticoagulants used in the management of coronary heart disease treated with or without percutaneous coronary interventions, cardioversion for atrial fibrillation, and prosthetic heart valves and valve repair. Using an evidence-based approach, we describe the results of completed clinical trials, highlight ongoing research with currently available agents, and recommend therapeutic options for specific heart diseases.


2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jawed Fareed ◽  
Walter Jeske ◽  
Daniel Fareed ◽  
Melaine Clark ◽  
Rakesh Wahi ◽  
...  

Low molecular weight heparins are replacing unfractionated heparin in a number of clinical indications because of their improved subcutaneous bioavailability and more predictable antithrombotic response. Clinical trials have demonstrated that low molecular weight heparins are at least as safe and effective as unfractionated heparin for the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism, and unfractionated heparin and warfarin for primary and secondary thromboprophylaxis. The mechanism behind the antithrombotic action of low molecular weight heparins is not fully understood but is likely to involve inhibition of coagulation factors Xa and IIa (thrombin), release of tissue-factor-pathway inhibitor, and inhibition of thrombin activatable fibrinolytic inhibitor. Different low molecular weight heparins have been shown to have various effects on coagulation parameters. Seven low molecular weight heparins are currently marketed worldwide, each demonstrated distinct chemical entities with unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Each low molecular weight heparin is approved for specific indications based on the available efficacy and safety data for that product. The relative efficacy and safety of the low molecular weight heparins are unclear because there have been very few direct comparisons in randomized clinical trials. While recommending low molecular weight heparins for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, clinical guidelines have not specified individual agents. National and international organizations recognize that low molecular weight heparins are distinct entities and that they should not be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Each low molecular weight heparin should be used at the recommended dose when efficacy and safety data exist for the condition being treated. When these data are not available, the dosing and administration of low molecular weight heparins must be adapted from existing data and recommendations.


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