US Regulators Wary of Sanofi’s Multaq , Warn of Heart Risks

On Monday US regulators ordered Sanofi, the French pharmaceutical giant, to change the label of its heart drug Multaq after it was found to double the risk of death in certain patients.

Patients with permanent abnormal heart rhythm, or atrial fibrillation, should not take the drug -- also known as dronedarone -- because of a two-fold higher rate of cardiovascular death, stroke, and heart failure, the US Food and Drug Administration said.

Heart Attack - Overview
Heart attack is the death of the heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Other names for heart attack include acute myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and coronary occlusion.

The change is based on results of a clinical trial of the drug in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation that was halted early, in July, due to the increased risk of adverse events.

However, another clinical trial in patients with a different type of heart flutter, known as non-permanent atrial fibrillation, has shown the drug "provides a benefit," and may continue to be prescribed, the FDA said.

Since the FDA approved the drug in July 2009, 1.3 million prescriptions have been dispensed in the United States, US regulators said.

Diet, Lifestyle and Heart Disease
The correlation between diet, lifestyle and heart disease. The importance of balanced diet life style and exercise for controlling heart disease.

Source-AFP

Congenital Heart Disease – Septal Defects
Heart diseases that are present at birth are called “ Congenital heart diseases”.

Cardiac Catheterization | Coronary Angiogram - Indications Preparation Procedure Risks Test FAQs
Cardiac catheterization is a radiological procedure for both diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. It involves the insertion of a long thin flexible tube called catheter a vein or an artery to the heart.