New Oral Anticoagulants Show Promise

We all have learned that the coagulation cascade starts with the activation of thrombin to prothrombin. This, in turn, converts fibrinogen into fibrin and allows for clots to form. Xa factor activation amplifies blood clot generation. The use of Xa factor inhibitors is a promising method for anticoagulation. Fondaparinux is a legal Xa factor inhibitor in the US, but it requires injection. Two new drugs, BAY 59-7939 and LY517717, are currently being tested. The BAY drug has been found to lower the rate of thrombosis. Doctors are looking forward to replacing the current oral anticoagulant, wafarin. LY517717 was also found to be as safe as enoxaparin, the current post-operative throboembolism drug.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/295/7/743