Complications of anticoagulant therapy

Abstract

Nowadays, anticoagulant therapy is one of the most common form of medical intervention. Among others, it is the mainstay of prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism. The most important representatives of anticoagulants are heparins (unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin) and coumarin derivatives (vitamin K antagonists). Newer anticoagulants are represented by selective - indirect or antithrombin-dependent (fondaparinux) and direct or antithrombin-independent (rivaroxaban) - inhibitors of clotting factor Xa, and selective direct thrombin inhibitors (dabigatran). Besides numerous advantages anticoagulants have also drawbacks. The aim of this paper is to discuss the principles of management of anticoagulant-associated complications.