Long-term use of AstraZeneca drug brings benefits, risks

London

LONG-TERM use of AstraZeneca's drug Brilinta can cut the risk of death, another heart attack or stroke in patients with a history of past attacks by 16 per cent, a keenly awaited clinical trial showed on Saturday.

The finding may boost sales of the blood-thinner, which AstraZeneca is relying on to drive growth, although doctors must balance its benefits against bleeding risks.

"There will be more bleeding, but I think the benefit for patients in terms of reducing their risk of dying or having another heart attack or stroke outweighs that," trial researcher Marc Sabatine of Boston's Brigham a…