Thrombosis

Venous and arterial thrombosis

Thrombosis occurs when a thrombus or blood clot is formed in a blood vessel (vein or artery). Without treatment, the thrombus may become enlarged to the point where it occludes the vessel and prevents blood and oxygen from irrigating the organ concerned.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in the deep veins of the leg. There is a risk that the clot may be detached from the vascular wall, migrate towards the heart and penetrate the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Acute coronary syndromes are the result of blood clots forming in the arteries so that the heart’s supply of oxygen is reduced.

4 million patients worldwide

Every year, over 4 million patients worldwide are affected by DVT. Arterial thrombosis is the cause of over 600,000 deaths per year.

Sanofi-aventis approaches

Formation of a blood clot is a process in which coagulation of the blood and platelet aggregation are closely combined. Sanofi-aventis is developing new compounds capable of inhibiting the factors involved in blood clotting specifically, in particular factors Xa and IIa.

Targeted disorders

• Arterial or venous thrombosis
• Deep venous thrombosis, complicated or not by pulmonary embolism
• Acute coronary syndromes (angina, myocardial infarction)
• Atherothrombosis