BARCELONA, Aug 30 - An experimental intravenous drug from Sanofi-Aventis to stop blood clots in people with serious heart conditions has proved successful in a mid-stage trial, researchers said on Sunday.

Patients receiving an intermediate dose of otamixaban had a 40 per cent lower rate of death, second heart attack or other coronary complications than those treated with heparin and Schering-Plough’s Integrilin.