BIOLOGICAL MONITORING ON THE PREVENTION O F COMPLICATIONS OF ANTITHROMBOTIC AGENTS

Antithrombotic agents are widely prescribed in cardiovascular diseases . It is essential to understand the conditions of biological monitorin g and the potential complications of these drugs. Treatment with unfra ctionated heparin and vitamin-K antagonists requires strict biological follow-up, the rules of which must be respected to avoid therapeutic failure or bleeding complications. Biological monitoring of low molecu lar weight heparins is extremely simple and that of antiplatelet agent s is unnecessary. Regular patient follow-up. both clinical and biologi cal, the respecting of contra-indications and recommendations of usage , and special attention to the problem of drug interaction, should res ult in better efficacy and tolerance of antithrombotic therapy.