Fondaparinux is Similar to Enoxaparin in Preventing Ischemic Events Among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes but Causes Less Bleeding
Anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and invasive coronary procedures reduce ischemic coronary events in patients with acute coronary syndromes, but increase bleeding. Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin commonly used in patients with acute coronary syndromes that reduces their risk of death or myocardial infarction. A trial conducted by the Fifth Organization to Assess Strategies in Acute Ischemic Syndromes Investigators (OASIS-5) in Ontario, Canada compared the efficacy and safety of fondaparinux (Arixtra) and enoxaparin (Lovenox). The trial found that fondaparinux is similar to enoxaparin in reducing the risk of ischemic coronary events and it significantly decreases major bleeding. These results were published in the March 14, 2006 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. MORE»