Older patients who treat their COPD with long-acting ?-agonists (LABAs) or long-acting anticholinergics (LAAs) have an increased risk of increased risks of cardiovascular events compared with non-use of the medications, according to research published online ahead of print in the JAMA Internal Medicine.
Investigators conducted a nested case control analysis of a retrospective cohort study and compared the risk of cardiovascular events between patients newly prescribed the inhaled long-acting medications.
The findings warrant the close monitoring of COPD patients requiring long-acting bronchodilators, regardless of drug class, the authors concluded.
