New anticoagulants: pharmacology and clinical studies.

The marketing of new anticoagulant drugs has led us to review the development of rivaroxaban and apixaban (oral anti-Xa drugs) and dabigatran (an oral thrombin inhibitor). The results are different in terms of efficacy and tolerance. Each molecule has its own field of application but it is not at all certain that each will find its place. Though the results are favourable for these orally active drugs in the orthopaedic setting, it is clear that only cardiological applications will give a final green light for these products. The future will be fascinating in this regard.