Review ArticleInhalational use of antithrombotics in humans: Review of the literature
Section snippets
Materials and Methods
The MEDLINE and Pubmed databases were interrogated in order to identify all publications reporting the use of antithrombotic therapies administered via the respiratory tract between 1990 and December 31st 2013. The following search strategy was employed using “inhalation” and: heparin; warfarin; low molecular weight heparin; tissue plasminogen activator; urokinase; streptokinase; activated protein C.
The literature search inclusion criteria were:
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Any study design, including case reports, trials,
Results
The database interrogation identified a total of 231 publications using various antithrombotic therapies including UFH (167 articles), warfarin (17 articles), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (13 articles), tissue plasminogen activator (33 articles), urokinase (20 articles), streptokinase (7 articles) and activated protein C (13 articles). No eligible publications were identified via review of reference lists of publications identified through the database interrogations. After application
Discussion
Anticoagulants and thrombolytics have been given by the inhaled route to humans for multiple indications across the last two and a half decades. Researchers have investigated the dose-requirements, safety, and efficacy of a range of agents with the aim of determining whether improved clinical outcomes can be achieved via the inhaled use of these agents. Preliminary data suggests positive clinical outcomes can be achieved in scenarios including plastic bronchitis secondary to Fontan surgery and
Conflict of Interest
None to declare.
Sources of Support
No sources of support supplied.
Acknowledgements
None.
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