Direct thrombin inhibitors

Thrombin plays a central role in thrombosis. Consequently, most current antithrombotic treatment strategies are aimed at blocking the activity of thrombin, or preventing its generation. Although heparin has been a cornerstone of treatment, it has limitations. Thus, the anticoagulant response to heparin is unpredictable, the heparin/antithrombin complex is unable to inhibit fibrin-bound thrombin, an important trigger of thrombus growth, and …