Rationale for Development of New Oral Anticoagulants

The development of new or direct oral anticoagulants was triggered by the disadvantages of classic oral anticoagulation, which was isolated in Link’s laboratory in 1940. Some of these limitations are the individual variation in response to these drugs, drug interaction and the need for regular laboratory monitoring. With increasing comorbidity and life expectancy in populations these limitations led to interruption of treatment or even underuse of treatment in light of potential side effects. With the introduction of novel oral anticoagulants some of these drawbacks are targeted whereas even these drugs also have some limitations and should be given with cautions and not to all patients having an indication for anticoagulation.