[A new deal with new anticoagulants?]

The anticoagulant market has been very active recently with the development of new compounds including injectable anti-Xa such as fondaparinux, already available, and idraparinux, already replaced by its new biotynilateed form, and new oral drugs which can be divided into anti-IIa with dabigatran already available, and anti-Xa, such as the recently marketed rivaroxaban and apixaban still in the development stage. Others are coming forward. The competition is strong and the place for each drug remains to be determined. This review discusses these new anticoagulants in terms of efficacy and tolerance based on data in the literature. These recent reports mainly concern prophylaxis for orthopedic surgery but also consider treatment of deep venous thrombosis. The results of studies in heart patients have raised much curiosity since they will be determinant in the future use of innovating compounds, which could replace current oral anticoagulants. This will be upcoming but not yet for tomorrow.