system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 61-year-old woman presents to the emergency room with left leg pain and swelling. She recently returned to the United States from a trip to India. Her past medical history is notable for osteoarthritis in both hips, lumbar spinal stenosis, and hypertension. She takes lisinopril. Her temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 140/85 mmHg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 24/min. On examination, her left calf is larger than her right calf. A lower extremity ultrasound demonstrates a deep venous thrombosis in the left femoral vein. Results from a complete blood count are within normal limits. She is discharged on low-molecular weight heparin. Seven days later, she presents to the emergency room with a dark erythematous skin lesion on her left thigh and worsening left leg swelling. A lower extremity ultrasound demonstrates a persistent deep venous thrombosis in the left femoral vein as well as a new deep venous thrombosis in the left popliteal vein. Results of a complete blood count are shown below:

Hemoglobin: 13.1 g/dL
Hematocrit: 38%
Leukocyte count: 9,600/mm^3 with normal differential
Platelet count: 74,000/mm^3

A medication with which of the following mechanisms of action is most appropriate to initiate in this patient after stopping the heparin drip?
assistant
Direct thrombin inhibitor