Clinical trials of new anticoagulants.

Shortcomings of the existing anticoagulants, vitamin K antagonists and heparins, have led to the development of newer anticoagulant therapies. In particular, Vitamin K antagonists' slow onset of action, numerous drug interactions, narrow therapeutic window and need for frequent monitoring make it the most obvious target for replacement. Targeting specific coagulation enzymes or steps in the coagulation pathway, new anticoagulants have been or …