Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use in Patients with Heart Failure

Compelling evidence for avoiding NSAIDs underscores the challenges of pain management in these patients.

Current practice guidelines for heart failure therapy recommend avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), because they can cause sodium retention and vasoconstriction and can reduce the effectiveness and increase the toxicity of ACE inhibitors and diuretics. Recent findings also suggest higher risks for cardiovascular events with NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors (JW Cardiol Nov 19 2008). To assess the frequency of NSAID prescription in patients with heart failure and the relation between NSAID use and outcomes, these investigators studied a Danish national cohort of 107,092 patients hospitalized from 1995 through 2004 and discharged with a diagnosis of heart failure.

More than one third (33.9%) of participants received at l…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)