Adverse Cardiovascular Events with Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents

Authors

  • Antonis S Manolis Third Department of Cardiology, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece

Keywords:

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, coxibs, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure

Abstract

The extensive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both nonselective and cyclooxygenase- 2–specific inhibitors, for the relief of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain, in addition to gastrointestinal toxicity, confers serious cardiovascular toxicity that affects the overall risk/benefit ratio of this commonly employed therapy. A plethora of studies have provided convincing evidence for a high risk of adverse cardiovascular events associated with NSAIDs related to a number of risk factors, which are herein briefly reviewed and an algorithm is suggested for their safer use.

Downloads

Published

2016-03-04

Issue

Section

Editorial