Sanofi-Aventis' anti-blood clot drug Lovenox reduced the risk of repeat heart attacks and deaths among people who suffered a major heart attack in a new study discussed at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Atlanta. But the drug was also associated with instances of major bleeding. Sanofi-Aventis funded the trial of 20,500 patients. Patients were given either Lovenox or a standard therapy. In the Lovenox group, 9.9 percent of patients experienced another heart attack or death compared to 12 percent in the standard therapy group. At the same time, 2.1 percent in the Lovenox group experienced major bleeding compared to 1.4 percent of the standard therapy group.
- here's the report from Marketwatch
ALSO: In a separate trial reported in Atlanta, GlaxoSmithKline's Arixtra significantly reduced bleeding and deaths among patients with serious heart conditions when compared to standard therapies. Every 1,000 patients taking Arixtra were able to avoid 11 deaths, eight heart attacks, two strokes and three cases of severe bleeding when compared to groups taking heparin. Report