Developments in Anticoagulant and Antithrombotic Agents

Helmut Wolf. M.D.. Ph.D. Rodger L. Bick, M.D., Ph.D. Departments of Pathology and, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Loyola University Health Systems 

Thrombosis is clearly die most common cause of death in the United States. About two million individuals die each year from an arterial or venous thrombosis or the consequences of these disorders. About 80% to 90% of all causes of dirombosis can now be defined with respect to cause. Of these, over 50% of all patients harbor a congenital or acquired blood coagulation protein or platelet defect 

Over the years. Jawed Fareed, Ph.D, FACB, and his colleagues have made highly significant contributions to the development of newer therapeutic anticoagulant and antithrombotic agents. Dr. Fareed s group has published extensively in this area. 

The incidence of DVT in the USA is about 159 per 1000,000 or about 400,000 per year. A definable etiology can be found in 80% to 90% of these patients which allows for effective therapy to be deUvered and allows for the other advantages of defining the blood coagulation protein or platelet defects mentioned above, to be instituted. 

The overall incidence of PE in the USA is about 139 per 100,000 or about 347,000 cases per year based on clinical data the incidence of fatal PE in the USA based on autopsy data is 94 per 100,000 or 235,000 deaths. The same scenario as that for DVT prevails for PE. If the PE is not fatal, every attempt should be made to define the blood coagulation or platelet defect. 

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