[New antithrombotics in the prevention of venous thromboembolia and new anti-platelet drugs]

We first present a brief overview of new antithrombotic agents that are assumed to replace coumarines and heparin in many indications; this overview provides information on pentasaccharides, direct thrombin inhibitors and direct factorXa inhibitors. Secondly, since the new drugs with antiplatelet effect act through blockade of the reactions involved in blood platelet activation, we review and discuss the substances that interfere with this process. The current antiplatelet therapy focuses mainly on an inhibition of platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, reducing the risk of arterial occlusions.