[Comment] New light on the activators of factor XI in venous thromboembolism

Thrombosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality, with one in four deaths being related to blood clots.1 As a result, anticoagulants have become one of the most prescribed drugs worldwide.1 Anticoagulants are used to reduce risk of hospital-associated thrombosis, an umbrella term used for venous thromboembolism occurring during hospital admission and for up to 90 days post discharge. Hospital-associated thrombosis is responsible for 55–60% of all venous thromboembolism,2 with an estimated global incidence of 10 million cases annually.