Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in patients with varying severity of coronary artery disease

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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

Anne Bech-Drewes1, Kasper Bonnesen2,3,4, Morten Böttcher4,5

  • 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Center for Population Medicine, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43, Aarhus, 8200, Denmark. anne.drewes@clin.au.dk.

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|July 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use has decreased in patients evaluated for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, NSAID use remains high in patients with severe CAD, indicating a need for continued monitoring and intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for pain and inflammation.
  • NSAID use has been associated with cardiovascular risks, including coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Understanding NSAID utilization patterns in patients undergoing CAD evaluation is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine temporal trends in NSAID use among patients referred for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To assess NSAID prevalence based on CAD severity determined by diagnostic procedures.

Main Methods:

  • A drug utilization study using population-based healthcare data from Western Denmark (3.3 million inhabitants).
  • Three cohorts were defined by first-time diagnostic procedures for CAD assessment: coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), and invasive coronary angiography (ICA).
  • One-year prevalence of NSAID use was calculated post-procedure, stratified by CAD severity.

Main Results:

  • NSAID use declined over the study period (2008-2022) across all CAD severity levels for CCTA and ICA cohorts.
  • In 2021, NSAID prevalence was 17% in severe CAD vs. 24% in no CAD (CCTA); 9% vs. 15% (MPI); and 10% vs. 20% (ICA).
  • Despite the decline, NSAID use remained higher in patients without diagnosed CAD compared to those with severe CAD.

Conclusions:

  • NSAID use has decreased among patients evaluated for CAD.
  • NSAID use is lower in patients with CAD compared to those without CAD.
  • NSAID use remains notably high in patients with severe CAD, necessitating further attention.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseDrug utilisation studyNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

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