New developments in acute anticoagulation therapy.

Preview Heparin has been in use for more than 40 years and is still an important agent for inhibiting plasma- and surface-bound thrombin. However, modifications have produced low-molecular-weight heparin, which has better bioavailability and perhaps other advantages over traditional heparin. Another direction of research in anticoagulation therapy has been toward new antithrombin- independent agents. Dr Carter describes the present status of studies on heparin and its derivatives, direct thrombin inhibitors, and ancrod, a component of snake venom.