Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Role of oral factor Xa inhibitors after acute coronary syndrome
Abhishek Sharma1, Akash Garg, Jeffrey S Borer
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, New York, N.Y., USA.
Insights
New oral anticoagulants targeting factor Xa may reduce recurrent ischemic events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. This review evaluates their potential role, balancing benefits against bleeding risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) face ongoing risks of ischemic events despite current treatments.
- An activated intrinsic coagulation pathway post-ACS contributes to this persistent risk.
- Previous anticoagulants like warfarin showed efficacy but were limited by bleeding complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on oral factor Xa inhibitors for managing ACS.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting factor Xa in ACS patients.
- To assess the balance between efficacy and safety of factor Xa inhibitors in ACS.
Main Methods:
- Review of recently published studies and clinical trial data.
- Analysis of the role of factor Xa in coagulation, proliferation, and inflammation.
- Evaluation of efficacy and safety profiles of oral factor Xa inhibitors in ACS contexts.
Main Results:
- Factor Xa is a key enzyme in coagulation and influences cellular processes relevant to ACS.
- Several oral factor Xa inhibitors have been investigated for ACS treatment.
- Data suggests potential benefits in reducing ischemic events, but bleeding risk requires careful consideration.
Conclusions:
- Oral factor Xa inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic avenue for ACS management.
- Further research is needed to optimize their use and mitigate bleeding risks.
- Targeting factor Xa may offer a novel strategy to improve outcomes in ACS patients.
Abstract:
Despite an early invasive strategy and the use of dual antiplatelet therapy, patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continue to be at substantial risk for recurrent ischemic events. It is believed that this risk is, at least in part, due to an intrinsic coagulation pathway that remains activated for a prolonged period after ACS. Earlier studies using warfarin showed a reduction in ischemic events, but the overall benefits were offset by increased bleeding complications. Recently, there has been increased interest in the potential role of new oral anticoagulants, some of which target factor Xa, after ACS. Factor Xa is important for the coagulation pathway and also plays a role in cellular proliferation and inflammation. It may thus be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in ACS. Recently, various oral factor Xa inhibitors have been studied as potential treatment options for ACS. This review will focus on currently available data to evaluate the possible role of factor Xa inhibitors in the management of patients with ACS.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
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...
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
01:20Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
01:28Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction