Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
I. Adverse Cardiovascular Effects
GLOSSARY
acute coronary syndrome this syndrome defines patients with
acute chest pain caused by myocardial infarction or unstable
angina. arrhythmia general term for an irregularity or rapidity of the
heartbeat, an abnormal heart rhythm. atherosclerosis same as atheroma, raised plaques filled with
cholesterol, calcium, and other substances on the inner wall of
arteries that obstruct the lumen and the flow blood; the plaque
of atheroma hardens the artery, hence the term atherosclerosis
(sclerosis ¼ hardening). cardioprotection protection of the heart from serious events
that include coronary artery disease and it complications,
angina, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. heart failure failure of the heart to pump sufficient blood from
the chambers into the aorta; inadequate supply of blood
reaches organs and tissues. myocardial infarction death of an area of heart muscle due to
blockage of a coronary artery by blood clot and atheroma;
medical term for heart attack or coronary thrombosis.
CYCLOOXYGENASE (COX) OR PROSTAGLANDIN endoperoxidase H synthase inhibitors, is a major com¬ponent of the rheumatologist’s armamentarium. Two isoenzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, are encoded by separate genes located on different chromosomes. These isoenzymes are targets of nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- I. ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS
All NSAIDs significantly inhibit the beneficial effects of several drugs, including furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, other thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers. Aspirin is a weak NSAID that does not cause sodium and water retention, increased blood pressure, or heart failure, but it can interfere with the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors. - BIBLIOGRAPHY
Belton, O., and Fitzgerald, D. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and atherosclerosis. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 41:1820–2, 2003.