Author:

Abstract:

Current antithrombotic therapies have major disadvantages because of a narrow therapeutic range, numerous interactions and/or the need for laboratory monitoring. Direct trombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors are newly available oral antithrombotics which have been and are being evaluated in numerous clinical trials in the treatment and prevention of both venous thromboembolism and atherothrombosis. Before these new drugs can be introduced into clinical practice, these clinical trials will have to show an efficacy and safety superior to conventional therapy.