A new antithrombotic strategy, the selective inhibition of coagulation factors, and its importance to the orthopedic specialist.

Abstract

Traditional anticoagulant drugs including vitamin K antagonists and heparins have several limitations. Despite their use, the burden of venous thromboembolism remains high, particularly in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. A new strategy for the design of new antithrombotic drugs is based on selective inhibition of a specific coagulation factor. Fondaparinux is a synthetic selective inhibitor of factor Xa, which is critically positioned at the start of the common pathway of the coagulation system. Its pharmacokinetic profile allows for once-daily administration without the need for laboratory monitoring or dose adjustment. Fondaparinux has demonstrated its efficacy compared to a widely used low-molecular-weight heparin in a number of thromboprophylaxis trials after major orthopedic surgery and is approved for use in this setting.

• Authors: Kenneth A Bauer, Bengt I Eriksson, Michael R Lassen, Alexander G G Turpie
• Journal: Journal of the Southern Orthopaedic Association (J South Orthop Assoc) Vol. 11 Issue 4 Pg. 197-202 ( 2002) ISSN: 1059-1052 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12597063 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Factor Xa Inhibitors
• Polysaccharides
• Fondaparinux

Topics

• Anticoagulants (therapeutic use)
• Factor Xa Inhibitors
• Fondaparinux
• Humans
• Orthopedic Procedures
• Polysaccharides (therapeutic use)
• Postoperative Complications (prevention & control)
• Venous Thrombosis (prevention & control)