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NSAIDs, COX-2s linked to atrial fib, flutter

August 16, 2011
  • Advising on this article:
  • R. William Soller

KEY POINT

Risk of atrial fibrillation and flutter increases with the use of COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDs, according to a Danish study. The association was strongest when new users were compared with nonusers, defined as people who had not had prescriptions filled for the medications within the past year.

SOURCES

Schmidt M et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter: population based case-control study. BMJ. 2011;343:d3450.

Gurwitz JH. NSAIDs and atrial fibrillation [editorial]. BMJ. 2011;343:d2495.

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