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(Circulation. 1999;99:682-689.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.

Basic Science Reports

Vasoflux, a New Anticoagulant With a Novel Mechanism of Action

Jeffrey I. Weitz, MD; Edward Young, PhD; Marilyn Johnston, ART; Alan R. Stafford, MSc; James C. Fredenburgh, PhD; Jack Hirsh, MD

Correspondence to Dr Jeffrey Weitz, Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Centre, 711 Concession St, Hamilton, Ontario, L8V 1C3, Canada. E-mail jweitz{at}thrombosis.hhscr.org

Background—Heparin and direct thrombin inhibitors, such as hirudin, have limitations in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Heparin does not inactivate fibrin-bound thrombin, whereas hirudin fails to block thrombin generation. In contrast, Vasoflux is a novel anticoagulant that inactivates fibrin-bound thrombin and attenuates factor Xa generation.

Methods and Results—Vasoflux is prepared by depolymerization of heparin, restricting molecular size to between 3000 and 8000 Da, and reducing antithrombin affinity by periodate oxidation. Vasoflux catalyzes fibrin-bound thrombin inactivation by heparin cofactor II (HCII) and inhibits factor IXa activation of factor X independently of antithrombin and HCII. Compared with other anticoagulants in a thrombogenic extracorporeal circuit, Vasoflux maintains filter patency at concentrations that produce an activated clotting time (ACT) of 220 seconds. In contrast, to maintain filter patency, heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and hirudin require concentrations that produced an ACT of 720, 415, and >1500 seconds, respectively, whereas dermatan sulfate was ineffective at concentrations that produced an ACT of 360 seconds.

Conclusions—Vasoflux is more effective than heparin and LMWH because it inactivates fibrin-bound thrombin and is superior to hirudin and dermatan sulfate because it also blocks factor Xa generation.

Key Words: anticoagulants • heparin • coagulation

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