( Largest Randomized Safety Program of In...)Landmark Findings From ECLIPSE Program Show Improved Control of,Perioperative Hypertension Reduces Risk of Death In Cardiac Surgery,Health

NEW ORLEANS, March 27, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Findings from ECLIPSE**, the largest safety program comparing intravenous antihypertensive therapies, show that improved control of perioperative hypertension -- a potentially harmful elevation in blood pressure just before, during and/or after surgery - - in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is strongly associated with a reduced risk of death within 30 days following the procedure. The findings were presented at a late-breaking session here at the 56th Annual Scientific Session of the of Cardiology (ACC).

"Perioperative hypertension is a very common problem in cardiac surgery, affecting up to 80 percent of patients," said lead author of the presentation, Solomon Aronson, MD, Duke University Medical Center**. "Findings from ECLIPSE are the first to quantify the relationship between perioperative blood pressure control and clinical outcomes, and demonstrate that better control can dramatically reduce the rate of death in cardiac surgery patients."

"This ECLIPSE analysis contributes to advances in the understanding and treatment of acute hypertension, a condition which affects nearly 3 million people in the U.S. each year," said John Kelley, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Medicines Company. "The Medicines Company is committed to further understanding the importance of better blood pressure control in the acute care setting and we strive to help improve the outcomes of patients who face this life-threatening condition."

Study and Findings

The ECLIPSE program included a total of 1,964 cardiac surgery patients each enrolled in one of three randomized, open-label trials comparing Cleviprex(TM) (clevidipine) to current intravenous antihypertensive agents: nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside or nicardipine. Begin
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