Cardiotoxicity of Anticancer Therapies.

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer continue to remain major causes of mortality and morbidity. However, overall cancer death rates have declined 20% from their peak in 1991. These declines reflect changing patterns in smoking, prevention, earlier diagnosis, and better treatment options in chemotherapy.

Dabigatran: a new chapter in anticoagulation.

For the last 60 years warfarin has been the cornerstone for chronic anticoagulation in prevention of ischemic strokes and systemic embolization. Warfarin therapy has several limitations including frequent monitoring and various food and significant drug interactions, which make it a less than ideal chronic oral anticoagulant. The continued search for safe, effective, medications with predictable pharmacokinetic profiles has led to newer alternatives.