Promise of factor Xa inhibition in acute coronary syndromes

Leong Lee1, Derek Chew

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Adelaide 5042, Australia. leong.lee@health.sa.gov.au

Current Cardiology Reports
|November 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Direct factor Xa inhibitors show promise for reducing mortality and morbidity in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This review examines evidence for both direct and indirect factor Xa inhibition in various ACS scenarios.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Thrombosis

Background:

  • Factor Xa inhibitors reduce mortality and morbidity in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
  • Current indirect factor Xa inhibition (heparins, fondaparinux) still leaves considerable residual risk in ACS.
  • Direct factor Xa inhibitors (the xabans) represent a novel therapeutic approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for indirect and direct factor Xa inhibition in ACS.
  • To compare the efficacy of different factor Xa inhibition strategies.
  • To evaluate factor Xa inhibitors in specific ACS subtypes and interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical trials and studies.
  • Analysis of data on mortality and morbidity outcomes.
  • Comparison of anticoagulant mechanisms and clinical effects.

Main Results:

  • Indirect factor Xa inhibition provides anticoagulation but with persistent risks.
  • Direct factor Xa inhibitors show potential as effective alternatives.
  • Evidence is examined across non-ST-segment elevation ACS, STEMI, and PCI.

Conclusions:

  • Direct factor Xa inhibitors may offer improved outcomes in ACS.
  • Further research is needed to fully establish the role of direct factor Xa inhibitors.
  • Optimizing anticoagulation remains crucial for managing ACS patients.

Related Concept Videos

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors01:20

Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors

Antiplatelet drugs emerge as frontline defenders against the insidious threat of thromboembolic diseases, where abnormal clots obstruct vital blood vessels. These drugs stand as bulwarks, inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, thereby mitigating the risk of life-threatening conditions like myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and thrombotic strokes.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...