Interní Med. 2012; 14(8-9): 318-322

New anticoagulants - possibilities monitoring of dabigatran therapy

doc.MUDr.Věra Krčová, CSc., MUDr.Antonín Hluší, Ph.D., MUDr.Miroslava Palová, Mgr.Luděk Slavík, MUDr.Jana Úlehlová

Hemato-onkologická klinika LF UP a FN Olomouc

Thromboembolic diseases belong to the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Their occurrence is now approximately

6.5 million cases per year. During many years before, our therapeutic possibilities were restricted and consisted only of

parenteral use of heparins, oral vitamin K antagonists (warfarin) and some less efficient drugs. In the last decade, new antithrombotic

drugs were introduced in clinical practice. However, their mechanism of action in contrast to the previous substances is different.

The targets are mainly either direct inhibition of trombin (dabigatran) or inhibition of factor Xa (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban

et others). Drugs with different blocking effects on the other parts in the coagulation cascade are under investigation during several

clinical studies. Besides this, we have now some possibilities of direct monitoring of dabigatran therapy. In comparison with

warfarin, the lately mentioned drugs seem to be more effective, especially in the treatment of atrial fibrillation complicated by

cerebral embolisation.

Keywords: anticoagulant therapy, warfarin, new anticoagulants, monitoring with dabigatran

Published: September 20, 2012  Show citation