Parenteral direct antithrombins

The development of thrombosis within a diseased artery or vein is responsible for acute coronary syndromes, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cerebral vascular accidents, and limb and bowel ischemia. Thrombin plays a central role in the process of thrombosis. Heparin, which is currently the mainstay of antithrombotic therapy for the acute phase of all of these clinical syndromes, is only partially effective. The limitations of heparin therapy may be linked to several features of its mode of action, which may be overcome by the use of direct thrombin inhibitors, a new class of agents that specifically and potently antagonize the actions of thrombin.