Professional paper

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Anita Jukić ; Department for Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinic for Internal Medicine, Clinical Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia
Dušanka Martinović Kaliterna ; Department for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Clinic for Internal Medicine, Clinical Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia
Mislav Radić ; Department for Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Clinic for Internal Medicine, Clinical Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs act as non-selective inhibitors of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (catalyzes the formation of prostaglandins), inhibiting both the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoenzymes. Selective COX-2 inhibitors have reduced gastrointestinal related adverse events but increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Selective COX-2 inhibitors may tip the natural balance between prothrombotic thromboxane A2 and antithrombotic prostacyclin potentially increasing the possibility of a thrombotic cardiovascular event. Decreased prostacycline synthesis, a vasodilatator and modulator of platelet activation, contributing to platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. Some studies have suggested that NSAID increase the risk of cardiovascular events and for patients at high cardiovascular risk we should use them with great caution.

Keywords

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; cyclooxygenase; prostacycline; cardiovascular risk

Hrčak ID:

124783

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/124783

Publication date:

1.7.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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