Recent Developments in Antithrombotic Therapy

Thrombosis is one of the most important disease phenomena responsible for disability and death. Recent studies involving the prevention and treatment of this condition are reviewed. It is now well documented that the response to anticoagulant therapy is largely dependent on the selection of suitable patients and on the use of adequate therapeutic dosage of the anticoagulant drugs under investigation. Studies that have not fulfilled this requirement have consistently failed to achieve favorable therapeutic response. The potential clinical use of Malayan pit viper venom-fraction 6 (Arvin®), urokinase, and purified streptokinase, each a potent antithrombotic agent, is now under intensive investigation. The status of these studies is reviewed. Platelet thrombi have been resistant to treatment, and new studies with acetylsalicylic acid and other drugs are under way. Many drugs interact in a variety of ways with oral anticoagulants, and this must be considered in the application of anticoagulant therapy.