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Updated: May 15, 2026

Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
Published on: September 15, 2017
Cardiovascular adverse effects of anti-inflammatory drugs
Camille Roubille1, Johanne Martel-Pelletier, Jean-Marc Davy
1Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Notre-Dame Hospital, 1560 Sherbrooke Street East, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. camille.roubille@gmail.com
Abstract:
Anti-inflammatory drugs consist of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including non-selective nsNSAIDs, aspirin, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective inhibitors also referred to as coxibs, and glucocorticoids (GCs). They are worldwide prescribed drugs for many musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis and inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs can exert deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, excluding aspirin. NSAIDs, especially coxibs, have been demonstrated to increase cardiovascular risk and have generated many concerns leading to the reassessment of their benefit/risk ratio. GCs may also induce cardiovascular events, but evidence seems to be less clear. Before prescribing these drugs, an assessment of cardiovascular risk may be judicious. In this review, anti-inflammatory drugs, coxibs, nsNSAIDs and GCs, and the risk of cardiovascular events will be discussed.
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