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Cardiac Drug Promises to Save Recurrent Heart Complications

Posted on Nov 15, 2011

A new study has been released, touting the results of a blood-thinning drug as successful in preventing recurring heart complications for survivors of heart disease. The study was presented this Sunday and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Manufacturers Johnson & Johnson and Bayer Healthcare sponsored the study.

The drug, Xarelto, is projected to help save up to a million Americans. Today, Xarelto is sold at $7 per day in high doses to prevent strokes and blood clots for at-risk people. This new study focused on mortality rates and recurrence of heart complications after discharged patients are treated for heart attacks or severe chest pain due to clogged arteries. At low doses, researchers found that this unique blood-thinner substantially cut all risks of mortality and its makers are hoping to sell Xarelto for this purpose in low doses.

The study followed 15,500 discharged patients. Group 1 was given standard blood-thinners like aspirin, Group 2 was given a low dose of Xarelto, and Group 3 was given a high dose. Group 1 suffered a second heart-related complication or death 11% of the time, while less than 9% did in Group 2 or 3. Also, 4.5% of Group 1 died during the study, while only 3% of the Xarelto groups died. The difference of a third is substantial.

One downside, however, is that Xarelto increases the risk of serious internal bleeding by a factor of four, including in the head or digestive tract. This could be disabling but not fatal. Cost is also an issue. Other brands, like Brilinta, which has just entered the market, provide a cheaper alternative and similar beneficial results.

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Gerry practices law exclusively in the State of New York. Within New York he practices primarily in the following counties: New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk. Technically, Brooklyn is known as "Kings County," and Manhattan and New York City are known as "New York County." Staten Island is known as "Richmond County." These counties make up the New York metropolitan area.