Anticoagulation

• Published in: Medizinische Klinik, Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin Vol. 108; no. 4; p. 325
• Main Author: Pötzsch, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.05.2013
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Anticoagulants - adverse effects; Anticoagulants - therapeutic use; Antithrombins - adverse effects; Antithrombins - therapeutic use; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - complications; Blood Coagulation Tests; Factor Xa Inhibitors; Hemorrhage - chemically induced; Heparin - adverse effects; Heparin - therapeutic use; Heparinoids - adverse effects; Heparinoids - therapeutic use; Hirudins - administration & dosage; Hirudins - adverse effects; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Orthopedic Procedures; Peptide Fragments - adverse effects; Peptide Fragments - therapeutic use; Pipecolic Acids - adverse effects; Pipecolic Acids - therapeutic use; Postoperative Complications - drug therapy; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Pulmonary Embolism - drug therapy; Pulmonary Embolism - prevention & control; Recombinant Proteins - adverse effects; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Risk Factors; Secondary Prevention; Thromboembolism - drug therapy; Thromboembolism - prevention & control; Treatment Outcome; Venous Thrombosis - drug therapy; Venous Thrombosis - prevention & control; Vitamin K - antagonists & inhibitors
• ISSN: 2193-6226
• DOI: 10.1007/s00063-013-0243-1

Anticoagulant drugs belong to the group of antithrombotic agents and are successfully used in the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. The use of anticoagulants in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis has significantly lowered the risk of venous thrombosis and fatal pulmonary embolisms even in high-risk situations such as orthopedic surgery. Anticoagulants play a central role in the treatment of acute venous thrombosis and in the prevention of recurrent events. Long-term anticoagulation therapy with orally active anticoagulants significantly reduces the risk of thromboembolic complications in patients showing cardiac arrhythmias. Whereas a few years ago heparins and vitamin K antagonists were the dominant anticoagulants, today a wide range of anticoagulants with improved pharmacological profiles are available. It remains an open question whether these new anticoagulants will improve the efficacy, safety, and acceptance of anticoagulant treatment approaches.