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Unfractionated Heparin and Enoxaparin for the Management of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes

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Antithrombotic Drug Therapy in Cardiovascular Disease

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

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Abstract

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) are antithrombin agents used to treat patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS). Among LMWH agents, enoxaparin has the strongest evidence for use in NSTE ACS. While heparins were the only antithrombin drugs recommended for NSTE ACS treatment during the last decade, new developments in antithrombotic drugs – particularly bivalirudin and fondaparinux – have broadened the list of agents from which physicians may choose.

This chapter will focus on pharmacology and clinical data for enoxaparin and UFH in the management of patients with NSTE ACS, while clinical trials comparing heparins with new antithrombin agents will be described in detail in other chapters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Pierluigi Tricoci MD, MHS, PHD & Kenneth W. Mahaffey MD

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  1. Pierluigi Tricoci MD, MHS, PHD
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  2. Kenneth W. Mahaffey MD
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  1. Western Reserve Heart Care, Corporate Dr. 1335, Hudson, 44236, U.S.A.

    Arman T. Askari

  2. Dept. Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Ave. 9500, Cleveland, 44195, U.S.A.

    A. Michael Lincoff

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Tricoci, P., Mahaffey, K.W. (2010). Unfractionated Heparin and Enoxaparin for the Management of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes. In: Askari, A., Lincoff, A. (eds) Antithrombotic Drug Therapy in Cardiovascular Disease. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-235-3_8

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