CORRECTED-Angiomax works just as well as heparin-study

(In March 29 story "Angiomax works just as well as heparin-study" please correct name of company in paragraph 4 to 'The Medicines Company' from 'the Medicines Cos'. A corrected repeat follows)

By Debra Sherman

CHICAGO, March 29 (Reuters) - As the commonly used blood thinner heparin is recalled around the world and some doctors worry about shortages, researchers say the anti-clotting drug Angiomax works just as well.

A study released on Saturday found the two drugs worked about the same in low- to moderate-risk patients in preventing death, heart attack and the need to repeat medical intervention on a diseased blood vessel. The study, which was paid for by Nycomed Pharma of Germany, did not include high-risk patients.

"They are not that much different," said Dr. Adrian Kastrati, who led the study and presented the findings at a joint meeting of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions in Chicago.

Angiomax, generically known as bivalirudin and made by The Medicines Company (MDCO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is far more expensive than heparin, produced by Baxter International Inc (BAX.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

Kastrati said the premium price tag doesn't mean Angiomax is a superior product.

Angiomax may be a better alternative for those patients who are at a high-risk for bleeding, he said, because heparin caused more bleeding.

But "there should be a thorough investigation to identify those subgroups of patients who would benefit from one drug or the other," Kastrati said in an interview.