Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH
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J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2011
ReviewRecent progress in anticoagulant therapy: oral direct inhibitors of thrombin and factor Xa.
While parenteral anticoagulants such as unfractionated and low molecular weight heparins and the oral vitamin K antagonists are effective for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis, they have a number of limitations. Up until recently, vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin) have been the only available oral anticoagulants. These drugs have a delayed onset of action, food and drug interactions, and variable pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics such that regular laboratory monitoring and dose adjustments are required to maintain the International Normalized Ratio (INR) in the therapeutic range. ⋯ This will result in major changes in the way that thrombosis is managed, both with respect to prevention and treatment. The new oral inhibitors of thrombin and factor Xa, however, have limitations and the absence of a need for regular laboratory monitoring makes medication compliance extremely important for maintaining efficacy given their relatively short half-lives. Furthermore there will be challenges in managing patients on these agents who develop recurrent thrombosis or major bleeding until methods to monitor and assess the levels of the new agents are readily available and specific antidotes are developed.
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J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2011
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and risk of venous thromboembolism.
The association between the use of non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitors (COX2Is) and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unclear. ⋯ The use of non-selective NSAIDs or COX2Is was associated with a two-fold or more increased risk of VTE.
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J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2011
Factor XII activation is essential to sustain the procoagulant effects of particulate matter.
Particulate matter (PM) is a key component of ambient air pollution and has been associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events and mortality. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. ⋯ Overall, the data suggest that PM promotes its early procoagulant actions mostly through the TF-driven extrinsic pathway of coagulation, whereas PM-driven long lasting thrombogenic effects are predominantly mediated via formation of activated FXII. Hence, FXII-driven thrombin formation may be relevant to an enhanced thrombotic susceptibility upon chronic exposure to PM in humans.