Pradaxa(Boehringer) risk of Myocardial Infarction and Acute Coronary Syndrome

Pradaxa/Rendix (dabigatran etexilate), from Boehringer, is associated with an increased risk of Myocardial Infarction (MI) or Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in a broad spectrum of patients when tested against some other medicines, according to a study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine. The meta-analysis of 7 studies, with 30,514 participants, Ken Uchino and Adrian V. Hernandez of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio found that the drug was significantly associated with a higher risk of MI or ACS than that seen with agents used in the control group (Pradaxa/Rendix, 237 events of 20,000 [1.19 percent] vs. control, 83 events of 10,514 [0.79 percent]). The overall benefit and risk balance of Pradaxa/Rendix use appears to be favorable in patients with Atrial Fibrillation because of reduction in ischemic stroke. However, the cardiac risk of Pradaxa/Rendix should be investigated further, especially if it is used in populations at high risk of MI or ACS, the authors conclude. see Dabigatran Association With Higher Risk of Acute Coronary Events Meta-analysis of Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trials Ken Uchino, MD; Adrian V. Hernandez, MD, PhD Arch Intern Med. Published online January 9, 2012. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1666