Study links NSAIDs with higher risk of cardiac arrest

Pharma Times ------- Short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly diclofenac and ibuprofen, has been linked with an increased risk of cardiac arrest in research published in European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy. The study looked at the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry, which carries data on all patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark between 2001 and 2010. Data was collected on all redeemed prescriptions for NSAIDs from Danish pharmacies since 1995, including the non-selective NSAIDs (diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen), and COX-2 selective inhibitors (rofecoxib, celecoxib). A case-time-control design was then used to investigate the association between NSAID use and cardiac arrest, with each patient serving as both case and control in two different time periods to help remove the confounding effect of chronic comorbidities. NSAID use during the 30 days before cardiac arrest (case period) was compared to that during a preceding 30 day period without cardiac arrest (control period). To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.