Todd Villines: Learning the Latest in Anticoagulants

Since the days when Warfarin was the lone option in anticoagulants a considerable amount of research has been conducted leading to the development of new novel oral anticoagulants.

Early in his career at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Lt. Col. Todd C. Villines, MD, who considers himself a "preventative cardiologist," was named anticoagulation clinic director at the facility. Since that time he said he has seen the field grow and change dramatically to give patients more effective options without many of the safety concerns. The newer medications, some approved 6 years ago have shown what he called a "step forward," in helping patients who were otherwise undertreated. While discussing how the medications can help reduce stroke in many patients Villines said he was glad to see the progress made during the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Chicago.