Pharmacology Of Anticoagulants Research Articles

Erratum to: Pharmacology of anticoagulants used in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Anticoagulant drugs are the foundation of therapy for patients with VTE. While effective therapeutic agents, anticoagulants can also result in hemorrhage and other side effects. Thus, anticoagulant therapy selection should be guided by the risks, benefits and pharmacologic characteristics of each agent for each patient. Safe use of anticoagulants requires not only an in-depth knowledge of their pharmacologic properties but also a comprehensive approach to patient management and education. This paper will summarize the key pharmacologic properties of the anticoagulant agents used in the treatment of patients with VTE.

Pharmacology of anticoagulants used in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Anticoagulant drugs are the foundation of therapy for patients with VTE. While effective therapeutic agents, anticoagulants can also result in hemorrhage and other side effects. Thus, anticoagulant therapy selection should be guided by the risks, benefits and pharmacologic characteristics of each agent for each patient. Safe use of anticoagulants requires not only an in-depth knowledge of their pharmacologic properties but also a comprehensive approach to patient management and education. This paper will summarize the key pharmacologic properties of the anticoagulant agents used in the treatment of patients with VTE.

Anticoagulation and Thrombolytic Therapy: Practical Considerations

Although thrombolytic agents have been available for over 10 years and have demonstrated safety and efficacy in an increasing number of clinical conditions involving thrombotic phenomena, their general acceptance as first-line therapeutic agents in medical management has been slow. Much of the reluctance to use these drugs is based on their associated incidence of hemorrhagic complications, which is several-fold greater than with use of conventional anticoagulants. With the introduction of second-generation thrombolytic agents, made possible through successes in recombinant DNA technology and chemical modifications of previously available compounds, increased fibrin specificity has been achieved and has been translated into increased clinical efficacy and safety. These results will likely improve as innovative regimens using dose modifications or multiple agents with combined synergy are developed. An appreciation of basic coagulation and the pharmacology of anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents is necessary to maximize the benefits of currently available medications, to develop new treatment strategies, and to minimize potential hemorrhagic complications.