New oral anticoagulants [Neue orale antikoagulanzien]

In recent years the new oral anticoagulants dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban have been approved for the prevention of stroke and thromboembolism and also rivaroxaban for therapy of thromboembolism. Extensive studies have shown that in comparison to conventional medications these new substances reduce the risk of severe bleeding, in particular intracranial hemorrhage as well as of stroke and thromboembolism despite a moderate increase in minor bleeding. In addition the administration offers considerable advantages while the disadvantages appear to be manageable. © Springer-Verlag 2013.