The start of a new era for stroke treatment: mechanical thrombectomy devices.

Stroke is a major cause of mortality in the U.K. accounting for 53,000 deaths every year.

Old versus new anticoagulants: focus on pharmacology.

Heparin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and warfarin are well-established anticoagulants still in widespread use despite their well known drawbacks. Heparin requires continuous monitoring, has serious side-effects such as haemorrhage, thrombosis and osteoporosis, and lacks an oral route of administration. LMWH is a safer, more convenient anticoagulant to use but it cannot be given orally, does not have an antidote and may be difficult to administer in patients with renal failure.