Direct Thrombin Inhibitor (DTI)

Direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) are a class of anticoagulant drugs that directly inhibit the enzyme thrombin (factor IIa), a central component of the blood coagulation process. They offer advantages over traditional anticoagulants by not requiring antithrombin as a cofactor and by inhibiting both free and clot-bound thrombin. DTIs are used in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders and in specific conditions like heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Agents can be bivalent (binding both active site and exosite 1) or univalent (binding only the active site).

Other names

Direct Thrombin InhibitorsDTIs

Directly inhibits thrombin (factor IIa) by binding to its active site and/or exosite 1, preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and inhibiting clot formation.