Inhibition of factor XIIa, a new approach in management of thrombosis

Thrombosis is an unfavorable condition of blood clot formation that may happen in arteries or veins. Although arterial and venous thromboses are different in content and mechanism of formation, both conditions have a large impact on community health with significant clinical consequences. Venous thrombosis is associated with inappropriate activation of coagulation cascade, and has high fibrin content and low platelets, whereas activation of platelets plays a major role in arterial thrombosis. Several efforts have been made so far to resolve this pathological condition or at least minimize the mortality and morbidity of thrombosis in patients. Many anticoagulants have been developed with different clinical applications. Immediate acting anticoagulants like heparin are commonly used for initial treatment of thromboembolism while slower acting vitamin K antagonists are largely used for long term therapy.