Controversial Trial Finds No Benefit For Expensive Medicines Company Drug

Although there is broad consensus in the medical community that primary PCI is the best treatment for heart attack patients when it can be delivered promptly, there is no agreement about the best accompanying drug regimen, which usually entails a combination of antiplatelet and antithrombotic drugs. The role of one antithrombotic, bivalirudin (Angiomax, The Medicines Company) has been particularly uncertain because it is far more expensive than its alternative, unfractionated heparin. HEAT-PPCI was designed to help settle this problem. … Click here to read the full post on Forbes.  
Source: CardioBrief - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: MI/ACS People, Places & Events Policy & Ethics Angiomax Bivalirudin heparin Informed consent primary PCI Source Type: blogs