New oral anticoagulants - clinical applications

Rivaroxaban and dabigatran etexilate are oral anticoagulants that promise to be as effective as warfarin, but easier to use. The new drugs have shown similar or greater efficacy than low molecular weight heparins and comparable safety in the prevention of venous thromboembolism after hip or knee arthroplasty. Unlike other anticoagulants, routine monitoring is not required during short-term use. The drugs are also being assessed for other indications that include treatment of venous thromboembolism and preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation. Only the results of ongoing studies will tell if they can match warfarin and the heparins across their full range of clinical indications.