Information found in the RE-LY study of Dabigatran, which was collected during a two to three year-long follow-up, is suggesting that the drug can work long-term in treating AF patients by preventing strokes and major episodes of bleeding.

The GARFIELD study, which was observational, discovered that most AF patient risk factors are high when their anticoagulant medication isn’t effective enough. The results of both the RE-LY and GARFIELD studies were presented at the American Heart Association’s 2012 Scientific Sessions. The newer follow-up of the RE-LY study is called RELY-ABLE; for it, researchers analyzed data collected from patients being treated with Dabigatran in different centers. This extension study looked at data from 5,851 patients that were given the same dose of Dabigatran during the RE-LY study for an extra two to three years.

The RELY-ABLE study results were presented by Dr. Stuart Connolly (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON), who reported the data from a total follow-up of more than four years (including the randomized RE-LY study period). Connolly looked at patients taking doses of 150 and 110 mg of Dabigatran and stated that those patients’ death rates were “very comparable.” In addition, both doses showed that the patients experienced significantly low rates of hemorrhagic stroke and the 150-mg dose was linked to lower ischemic stroke rates. The 150 mg dose did, however, show a higher bleeding rate than the 110 mg dose.

Anticoagulants like Dabigatran are common prescription medications used to treat AF patients. Atrial fibrillation is a condition that is characterized by patients experiencing irregular heartbeats and flutters. The condition can also lead many patients to suffer from strokes. Many different anticoagulants are used to treat AF, including Multaq. Multaq is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, and has been linked to liver failure and a worsening of the heart condition that has caused the FDA to recommend that doctors avoid prescribing the drug unless all other medications fail.

If you have suffered from liver failure or a worsening of the heart condition after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.