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| | | ![]() Retavase Approved For Heart Attack Treatment In Canada TORONTO, ON -- Sept. 15, 1998 -- Health Canada has approved Centocor Inc.’s Retavase™ (reteplase), a clot-busting fibrinolytic agent for use in patients suffering from heart attacks. Biovail Corporation International will market the drug in Canada. According to Health Canada cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for 37 percent of all deaths. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is responsible for the greatest percentage of deaths with 21 percent, of which half are attributable to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cardiovascular disease was the most expensive disease category according to 1995 statistics, representing $7.3 billion or 17 percent of the total direct costs of all illnesses. Fibrinolytic agents are used to treat patients who suffer from heart attacks. Widespread research has shown that one of the most effective treatments for a heart attack caused by a blood clot is to quickly administer a fibrinolytic agent to restore blood flow to the affected artery. Retavase is the only fibrinolytic that can be administered through a simple two-shot injection rather than by way of a continuous intravenous infusion. Related Links: Retavase, Centocor Inc.
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