Sanofi presents ATHENA trial results at AHA

French drug major Sanofi-Aventis presented new data from the landmark ATHENA trial, showing that its Multaq (dronedarone) significantly reduced the incidence and total duration of hospital stays among patients with atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held in New Orleans.

In the study, dronedarone significantly reduced the total number of hospital days by 28% (p<0.001; 9,995 days versus 13,986 days) vs placebo, and decreased by 35% (p<0.001) the total length of time spent in hospital for cardiovascular reasons (5,875 days vs 9,073 days). In addition to the demonstrated reduction of AF-related hospitalization by 37% (p<0.001), dronedarone reduced the incidence of first non-AF related CV hospitalization - eg, myocardial infarction or unstable angina - by 14% (p=0.016).