Emerging role of direct thrombin inhibitors in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: potential and peril.

Ximelagatran, an emerging new direct, oral, fixed-dose thrombin inhibitor may offer an attractive alternate to warfarin for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The lack of drug-to-drug interactions and need for coagulation monitoring parameters such as international normalized ratio and a short half-life make therapeutic control and withdrawal in the event of bleeding easier. The side-effect profile, including elevation of liver enzymes, may temper the clinical utility of long-term use ximelagatran.