Anticoagulants: Major Advances Without Clear Consensus

Abstract Therapeutics for thrombosis were discovered because of observations made nearly one hundred years ago. The mainstays of these treatments have been either heparin or warfarin, with the latter being preferred for long-term anticoagulation. In the last six years, newer agents with antigoagulant activities have been approved for clinical use. These agents have advantages and disadvantages over warfarin and consensus for their use is still being formed, as is the manner in which the more traditional agents, such as warfarin, should be used and monitored.