Source: DGNews  |  Posted 2 years ago

SAN DIEGO -- January 5, 2010 -- Patients taking ipratropium bromide for the
treatment of chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD) may be at an
increased risk for cardiovascular events (CVE), including heart failure.

The study is published in the January 2010 issue of the journal
Chest.

Studies have suggested an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and
mortality associated with the use of ipratropium bromide, but this study sought
to examine the association between ipratropium bromide use and the risk of CVEs.

Sarika S. Ogale, PhD, Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program,
Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, and
colleagues conducted a cohort study on 82,717 US veterans with a new diagnosis
of COPD between 1999 and 2002.

Of the patients, 44% were exposed to anticholinergics (mainly ipratropium) at
some time during the study.

Patients were followed until they had their first hospitalisation for a CVE,
until they died, or until the end of the study period (September 30, 2004).

Within the cohort, 6,234 CVE were identified (44% heart failure, 28% acute
coronary syndrome, and 28% dysrhythmias).

Results showed that any exposure to anticholinergics within the past 6 months
was associated with an increased risk of CVE.

However, among patients who received anticholinergics more than 6 months prior,
an elevated risk of CVE was not seen.

The researchers noted that their findings are consistent with previous concerns
raised about the cardiovascular safety of ipratropium bromide.

SOURCE: American College of Chest Physicians