Risque cardiovasculaire des anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used in daily practice. Their main adverse effect is their gastrointestinal toxicity. Selective NSAIDs, the coxibs, were developed to decrease this frequent adverse effect. However it has been shown that their use was associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. A molecule, rofecoxib, was even withdrawn from the market and coxibs were contraindicated among patients with established cardiovascular disease. The current data indicates that use of both selective and non-selective NSAIDs is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. According to certain cardiovascular events, non-selective NSAIDs are associated with higher risk than some coxibs. The analysis of the literature highlights an important lack of data on this subject particularly for non-selective NSAIDs. Thus, NSAIDs prescription benefit must be counterbalanced with the risk of bleeding and the cardiovascular risk related to the molecule and to the patient.