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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A drug to prevent fractures in women with osteoporosis may be linked to an abnormal heart rhythm.
A new study reveals alendronate (Fosamax) may be associated with atrial fibrillation, which occurs when the atria -- the smaller upper heart chambers -- start to beat quickly and irregularly. Researchers looked at 719 women with atrial fibrillation and 966 control women who did not have the heart condition. They found more patients with an abnormal heart rhythm had used alendronate -- 6.5 percent -- compared to control patients -- 4.1 percent and estimate roughly three percent of new atrial fibrillation cases in this population may be attributed to use of the drug.
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Other recent studies have linked atrial fibrillation to bisphosphonates, a group of drugs, including alendronate, that prevent fractures by maintaining bone density and strength. Researchers say bisphosphonates may affect the atria and heartbeat by preventing regulatory proteins from working properly, triggering inflammation or causing small decline in blood calcium and phosphate levels.
The benefits of fracture prevention in patients at high risk for fracture will generally outweigh the possible risks of atrial fibrillation, study authors write. However, it is important to carefully weigh the benefits against the possible risk of atrial fibrillation in women who have only modestly increased fracture risk and in women who have risk factors for atrial fibrillation, such as diabetes mellitus, coronary disease or heart failure.
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SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2008;168:826-831
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
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