This annual meeting for Swedish Cardiologists consisted of approximately 1000 Swedish cardiologists and 400 medical representatives and other registered visitors. An impressive number considering there are only 2000 cardiologists in Sweden.

Joseph Stella, D.O. FACC, an interventional cardiologist with Heart Care Centers of Illinois was invited to present data during a portion of this symposium. Other renowned cardiologists David Erlinge, M.D. PhD, Department of Cardiology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden and Per Albertsson, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden also gave presentations regarding the use of blood thinners in Angioplasty. Mediators were Fredrik Schersten, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden and Ewa Swahn, M.D. Linkoping Heart Center, Professor of Cardiology, Linkoping, Sweden and member of the European Society of Cardiology.

Dr. Stella pioneered the Biami Trial, which was launched at St. Francis Hospital in the spring of 2004. The trial studied the effects of Angiomax (bivalirudin) on more than 200 patients in 14 centers across the U.S. The results of that study prompted an international study that could change the way acute heart attack patients are treated world-wide. Initial findings indicate fewer symptoms and complications for the patient.

At the Swedish Symposium, Dr. Stella presented these findings along with the preliminary findings of the The Horizons Trial which is examining the effects of the blood-thinning drug Angiomax given intravenously to heart attack patients upon arrival at the emergency department. The international trial has involved 3,000 patients from 40 countries, including the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Angiomax is given to heart attack patients during a cardiac catheterization procedure after first being stabilized in the emergency department. It is an alternative to a combination of drugs widely administered to prevent blood clotting and complications in heart attack patients.

“Data from the Biami suggests that the routine use of Angiomax, for acute heart attack patients may very well become a standard around the world,” Dr. Stella explained. “Using Angiomax in place of combination drug therapy, such as the blood thinner heparin and IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors, has shown to promote less bleeding with similar results toward safety, and at a lesser cost.”

“Dr. Stella is by far the most renowned physician in the world who has studied the use of Angiomax in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. He has the most experience in the use of this product worldwide,” said Peter Mathieson, product manager and symposium coordinator for Nycomed. “When you think of AMI and bivalirudin you most directly think of Dr. Stella.”