Synthetic Thrombin Inhibitors as Anticoagulants Pharmacological Aspects

Thromboembolic disorders are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. For prophylaxis of thrombosis at present the so-called indirect anticoagulants of the dicoumarol type, the biopolymer heparin and several antiplatelet drugs are used. The active principle of the medicinal leech, hirudin, is available now as a recombinant product and is being tested clinically. Each of the mentioned anticoagulants has its values and limitations, based either on the chemical nature or on the mode of action. Antithrombotic regimes that do not interfere with the coagulation system are proposed; their value, however, has not yet been fully documented.