RESEARCH - NSAID use associated with atrial fibrillation

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NSAID Use Associated With Atrial Fibrillation

Medscape

Nainggolan

September 15, 2010 (Chieti, Italy) — The use of nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with an increased risk

of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF), a new study suggests [1].

However, the researchers do not believe the drugs are causing AF;

rather, they suggest that the underlying inflammation necessitating

the NSAID therapy might be the culprit.

Dr Raffaele De Caterina (G d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy) and

colleagues found a statistically significant 44% increase in the risk

of chronic AF, but no association with paroxysmal AF, in users of

NSAIDs. They also confirmed previous findings regarding the

association of steroids with AF, with those taking steroids two and a

half times more likely to develop chronic AF than those not taking

them, they report in their paper in the September 13, 2010 issue of

the Archives of Internal Medicine.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/728595

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