Another remarkable aspect of this trial is that we identified precisely the correct dosage of Dabigatran to give to patients. If the dosage of a blood thinner is too high, the patient can experience bleeding. If it ™s too low, a stroke can occur. This trial not only identified a drug that is more effective than Warfarin, it also revealed the precise dosage that needs to be administered to prevent strokes.

Dr. Ezekowitz listed the following attractive features of Dabigatran:

Like Coumadin / Warfarin, it can be taken by mouth, but unlike Coumadin / Warfarin “ which takes about four days to have an effect “ Dabigatran acts within hours after ingestion Dabigatran, as compared to Coumadin / Warfarin, has fewer drug-to-drug interactions and, unlike Coumadin / Warfarin, does not require monitoring In addition, the trial shows that Dabigatran is superior to Coumadin / Warfarin at the higher dose without compromising safety, and is a lot safer than Coumadin / Warfarin at the lower dose without compromising effectiveness

As one of the trial ™s leading research institutions, the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research brings a unique community of science approach to research, combining bench researchers, physician and nurse researchers, as well as incubating biotechnology companies “ all working towards finding new and better ways to treat patients with diseases and conditions such as atrial fibrillation. In addition to Dr. Ezekowitz and the Lankenau Institute, other trial leaders included Stewart Connolly and Salim Yusuf, of Canada ™s McMaster University and Lars Wallentin, of Uppsala in Sweden.

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