Cardiovascular risk and COX-2 inhibition in rheumatological practice

The use of specific COX-2 inhibitors in place of standard nonsteroidals for the treatment of arthritis appears to reduce the risk of serious gastrointestinal toxicity in this group of patients. However, the role played by these inhibitors in the generation or exacerbation of ischaemic cardiovascular disease is less clear. Clinical studies demonstrate that hypertension can be induced or aggravated by COX-2 inhibitors to a degree similar to that which occurs with standard nonsteroidals. Endothelial dysfunction, an indicator of cardiac ischaemia, may also be exacerbated by specific COX-2 inhibition and there is much debate as to whether these changes lead to an absolute increase in ischaemic cardiac events. These effects on cardiovascular risk factors appear all the more important in patients with rheumatoid arthritis where there is an increase in the incidence of ischaemic heart disease. Here we review the available data on COX-2 inhibition and cardiovascular disease and conclude that all patients who started these agents should have a careful assessment and modification of any cardiovascular risk factors.