Use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and type-specific risk of acute coronary syndrome

The exact mechanism by which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase coronary risk is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk for each type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) associated using NSAIDs and the role played by dose, duration, and patient characteristics. A prospective case-control study was performed, interviewing 2,954 patients hospitalized for ACS at 32 Spanish hospitals and a similar number of age-matched controls using a structured questionnaire collecting information on the use of NSAIDs, risk factors, and cardiovascular history. Odds ratios (ORs) for any type and each ACS type were calculated adjusted for gender, body mass index, other risk factors, and concomitant medications by conditional logistic regression. The adjusted OR of ACS associated with the current use of NSAIDs was 1.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95 to 1.42). The risk was increased in patients consuming high doses (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.53) and those with previous ischemic heart disease (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.00). The hazard was driven mostly by the increase in the risk for non-ST-segment elevation ACS (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.47), whereas NSAIDs did not increase the risk for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.26). In conclusion, the use of NSAIDs was associated with a small, nonsignificant overall coronary risk that was more apparent for non-ST-segment elevation ACS. This risk was stronger when NSAIDs were used at high doses or in patients with previous ischemic heart disease.

Feasibility of bariatric surgery as a strategy for secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease: a report from the Swedish obese subjects trial

Aims. Evaluation of bariatric surgery as secondary prevention in obese patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods. Analysis of data from 4047 subjects in the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOSs) study. Thirty-five patients with IHD are treated with bariatric surgery (n = 21) or conventional treatment (n = 14). Mean follow-up is 10.8 years. Results. Bariatric surgery resulted in sustained weight loss during the study period. After 2 years, the surgery group displayed significant reductions in cardiovascular risk factors, relief from cardiorespiratory symptoms, increments in physical activity, and improved quality of life. After 10 years, recovery from hypertension, diabetes, physical inactivity, and depression was still more common in the surgery group. There were no signs of increased cardiovascular morbidity or mortality in the surgery group. Conclusion. Bariatric surgery appears to be a safe and feasible treatment to achieve long-term weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms, and quality of life in obese subjects with IHD.