Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A panel of cardiology experts recommends that an experimental drug from Sanofi-Aventis be approved to treat irregular heart rhythms linked to stroke.

The Food and Drug Administration's cardiology drug panel voted 10 to 3 in favor of approving the drug Multaq for that use. The drug is designed to treat atrial fibrillation, a condition that interferes with the beating of the heart's upper chambers.

The FDA is not required to follow the group's advice, though it usually does. The agency is scheduled to make a final decision on the drug by April 30.

If approved, Multaq would be the first new treatment for atrial fibrillation in more than 25 years.