Thromb Haemostasis
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Although currently available anticoagulants are effective for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders, they have several drawbacks. Low-molecular-weight heparins and fondaparinux produce a predictable level of anticoagulation that obviates the need for coagulation monitoring, but they must be given parenterally, which renders them inconvenient for long-term use. Vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin, are administered orally, but produce a variable anticoagulant response because genetic polymorphisms, dietary vitamin K intake and multiple drug-drug interactions affect their metabolism. ⋯ This is burdensome for patients and physicians, and costly for the healthcare system. These limitations have prompted the development of new oral anticoagulants that target thrombin or factor Xa and can be given in fixed doses without coagulation monitoring. This paper focuses on the new oral anticoagulants in the most advanced stages of development.
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Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in developed countries, the usefulness of preventive low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) after cesarean delivery remains a matter of controversy. It was the objective of this study to evaluate the usefulness of thromboprophylaxis with LMWH after cesarean delivery. A decision model was constructed to evaluate the risks and benefits associated with a seven-day LMWH prophylaxis, compared with none. ⋯ In case of an emergency procedure, a body-mass index >25kg/m(2), tobacco smoking, or any combination of these, reductions in VTE greatly outnumbered the increase in major haemorrhages, with a modest benefit on mortality. Our decision analysis suggests that the benefits of LMWH after cesarean delivery exceed the risks. This benefit is, however, very low in women with no risk factors.