title: Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients after myocardial infarction - a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies over the past decade have shown that NSAIDs are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and may predispose to myocardial infarction in healthy individuals. Despite this knowledge patients with established cardiovascular disease are frequently treated with NSAIDs. The benefits versus potential harm of treatment need careful assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational studies and clinical trials providing information about outcome of NSAID treatment in post MI patients were retrieved; fourteen articles in total: two case-control studies, two randomized double-blind trials and ten cohort studies. The studies had a follow-up time between 30 days and 15 years. Two studies reported of risk of atrial fibrillation, and only one addressed antithrombotic treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of death and reinfarction in this group of patients is well established. Further studies are needed to investigate factors increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation. The correlation between recommended pharmaceutical treatment post MI and NSAIDs needs to be further examined. None of the studies examined correlated their results to dosages available over the counter.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiology , Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Hellerup , Denmark.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boulakh
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiology , Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Hellerup , Denmark.|b The Danish Heart Foundation , Copenhagen , Denmark.|c The National Institute of Public Health , University of Southern Denmark , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Gunnar H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gislason
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
keywords: Antithrombotic treatment; atrial fibrillation; myocardial infarction; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; reinfarction