Fondaparinux better than enoxaparin or UFH in ACS

Fondaparinux sodium [Arixtra, Xantidar] significantly reduced mortality and the incidence of ischaemic events, and was associated with significantly fewer major bleeds, than enoxaparin sodium or unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This was the conclusion of a combined analysis of the OASIS* 5 and OASIS 6 trial results presented at the 15th World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) [Barcelona, Spain; September 2006]. Fondaparinux recipients had a highly significant reduction in the incidence of the combined endpoint of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke and all-cause mortality compared with those receiving enoxaparin or UFH. The incidence of major bleeding with fondaparinux at 9 days, 30 days and at 6 months was significantly lower than with enoxaparin or UFH and similar to that seen with placebo.