Appetite suppressants and cardiac valvulopathy. Current clinical perspectives

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in association with weight loss treatment was initially observed in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the diet pill aminorex fumarate. Recent data from large-scale studies and single sites have found prevalence rates of anorexic-associated valvulopathy ranging from 15% to 30%. But overall, no increased prevalence of VHD has been observed among case control groups. In March 1998, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. A section of the report was dedicated to patients exposed to anorectic drugs, and those statements are outlined in this article.