NOVEL ANTICOAGULANTS, WILL THEY REPLACE HEPARIN AND WARFARIN IN THROMBOTIC DISORDERS INCLUDING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?

Over the past two decades we have witnessed increased utilisation of anticoagulants for the Rx and prevention of thrombosis in a wide variety of patients. The two mainstay drugs that we have and continue to rely on are heparin (and its derivatives) and Warfarin. There is little doubt that these drugs have served us well but it is also fair to acknowledge that their use has not come with a significant morbidity and mortality. In recent years new anticoagulant therapies have been developed with the aim of providing safe and efficacious alternatives to Warfarin.

Prof Hatem Salem will discuss the limitations and uses of current therapies, new drugs available and their application/limitation in clinical scenarios. A/Prof John Amerena will discuss the clinical aspects and trials of the new antithrombotics in different therapeutic areas, particularly their role in AF.

 Prof Hatem Salem and A/Prof John Amerena

Supported by Boehringer Ingelheim