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A potential therapy for the treatment of heart patients has been found to decrease the risk of hospitalisation or death by 24%.
The results of trials using the dronedarone drug Multaq marks the first time in 20 years of clinical trials in atrial fibrillation that a medicine has shown such a significant decrease in the risk of death.
Atrial fibrillation is a major cause of hospitalisation and death and affects about 4.5 million people in the five largest European Union countries. This number is expected to double over the next 20 years.
Patients suffering from atrial fibrillation have twice the risk of death, and an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular complications – including congestive heart failure.
The company which manufactures the drug, Sanofi-Aventis, said that the results of the groundbreaking ATHENA study have the potential to change the face of atrial fibrillation management.
“For atrial fibrillation patients, who together with their physicians struggle on a daily basis to manage the dramatic consequences of this complex disease, Multaq carries hope for patients,” said Marc Cluzel, Sanofi-Aventis’ senior vice president for research and development.
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