Health
Atrial fibrillation and bisphosphonates
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 10, 2008
People prescribed a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis may be at increased risk for serious atrial fibrillation, according to research presented Oct. 27 at CHEST 2008, the 74th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians held in Philadelphia.
In a meta-analysis that included 16,322 patients, mostly women, researchers at the University of Miami found that those who received alendronate or zoledronic acid were more likely to experience serious atrial fibrillation than were patients getting placebo.
Considering the wide use of the drugs, this potential link requires further study, said James A.L. Mathers Jr., MD, president of the American College of Chest Physicians.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/11/10/hlbf1110.htm.
