The present and future of heparin, low molecular weight heparins, pentasaccharide, and hirudin for venous thromboembolism and acute coronary syndromes
Research article published in Seminars in vascular medicine (2003)
Abstract
Due to their favorable pharmacologic properties and beneficial clinical effects, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) have become the standard of care in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism and have also been extensively studied in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Pentasaccharide is the first of a new class of synthetic antithrombotics and has been shown to be superior to LMWH in preventing deep vein thrombosis. Hirudin is the most potent direct thrombin inhibitor and has provided superior antithrombotic efficacy when compared with LMWH. In acute coronary syndromes, however, the antithrombotic activity of hirudin has been compromised by a significant increase in major hemorrhage.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
The present and future of heparin, low molecular weight heparins, pentasaccharide, and hirudin for venous thromboembolism and acute coronary syndromes.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This article reviews the clinical roles of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), the synthetic pentasaccharide, and hirudin in managing venous thromboembolism and acute coronary syndromes. The abstract highlights that hirudin is the most potent direct thrombin inhibitor and demonstrated superior antithrombotic efficacy relative to LMWH, though in acute coronary settings this benefit was offset by a significant increase in major hemorrhage. For ASH's research domain, the article is relevant for its direct discussion of hirudin as an anticoagulant in clinical use, weighing its therapeutic advantages against its bleeding risks. However, this review synthesizes broader clinical trial literature; it offers no new primary data and does not address live hirudotherapy, hirudin's biological origins, or the wider leech secretome.
Citación
The present and future of heparin, low molecular weight heparins, pentasaccharide, and hirudin for venous thromboembolism and acute coronary syndromes
Haas S et al. · Seminars in vascular medicine, 2003
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026