Blood thinner dabigatran ( Pradaxa ), approved in 2010 to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, is linked to an increased risk of heart attack, a new trial suggests.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials are taking a second look at blood thinning drug Pradaxa ( dabigatran etexilate mesylate ) after reports of serious, potentially fatal, bleeding.