Chronic obstructive pulmonary disea...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is single in kind of the leading causes of death worldwide. To form the impact of this disease forward patients, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease application of mind attempted to increase awareness of COPD and decrease the morbidity and mortality related to this disease. Bronchodilators are the solely agents approved by the U nourishment and Drug Administration for treatment of COPD The bronchodilator salmeterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist, has an approximate duration of 12 hours and improves airflow obstruction. The use of salmeterol has been shown to improve symptoms, lung function, and quality of life in patients with COPD; it is make acceptableed as a first-line maintenance bronchodilator in patients with this disease. However, patients with COPD guard to have ischemic heart disease, right ventricular hypertrophy and arrhythmias, and long-acting beta2-agonists may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. Ferguson and associates examined the cardiovascular safety of salmeterol in patients with COPD in a contemplation sponsored by a pharmaceutical company.

The reflection design was a pooled analysis of cardiovascular safety data in COPD patients taking salmeterol in a dosage of 50 mcg twice by day. The studies included were randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, multidose trials of salmeterol at 50 mcg administered with a metered-dose inhaler. Patients met the diagnostic criteria for COPD established by the agency of the American Thoracic Society or the European Respiratory Society. Seven studies monitoring vital signs and cardiovascular adverse issues met the inclusion criteria. Participants were clumped by age and concurrent cardiovascular conditions, and whether they were taking antiarrhythmic or bradycardic medications.

A total of 1410 patients took salmeterol, and 1443 took placebo. There was no increase in the risk of cardiovascular adverse affairs in patients taking salmeterol compared with placebo; the incidence of cardiovascular issues was 8 percent in one as well as the other groups. Patients who had of equal authority cardiovascular conditions and were older or taking antiarrhythmic or bradycardic medications had a higher incidence of cardiovascular adverse ends but the rate was similar between treatment clumps There also was no difference between arranges with regard to 24-hour heart rate, ventricular and supraventricular ectopic terminations qualitative electrocardiograms, QT intervals, or vital signs.

The authors terminate that, compared with placebo, treating patients who have COPD with salmeterol in a dosage of 50 mcg twice a day does not increase the risk for cardiovascular adverse occurrences They add that salmeterol can be used safely to manage COPD symptoms, improve lung function, potentially decrease exacerbations, and improve quality of life.

Ferguson GT et al. Cardiovascular safety of salmeterol in COPD Chest June 2003;123:1817-24

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