Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Other New Antithrombotic Drugs

Abstract

SINCE heparin and the vitamin K antagonists became available for clinical use more than 40 years ago, the number of other drugs that have been introduced to prevent or treat thrombotic states is surprisingly small. Activators of plasminogen are exceptions; although they were never widely popular during the several decades when they were used chiefly for venous thromboembolism, their position now seems established in the treatment of acute coronary artery thrombosis. Another class of drugs, the antiplatelet agents, is considered beneficial in coronary and cerebral arterial occlusive disease, but the humble aspirin tablet is so effective an antithrombotic agent that . . .