Science and Health

Australian researchers find drug link to heart problems

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-24 14:34

SYDNEY: Australian researchers have found that a common drug used to treat osteoporosis could be placing people at increased risk of blood clots and stroke.

Associate Professor Gustavo Duque from the University of Sydney revealed on Wednesday that the research team had investigated the suspected unintended side-effect of the drug alendronate, and they found laboratory evidence that it could prompt an irregular heart beat.

"Population studies had already shown that using this osteoporosis drug ... was associated with a higher incidence of arrhythmia, or atrial fibrillation," he said.

"What we've found for the first time in laboratory experiments is a cause and effect."

"It appears that these drugs trigger the heart's atrial cells to become agitated and overexcited, causing a pacemaker-like effect."

Atrial fibrillation can allow blood to pool in areas of the heart and, eventually, these form clots. A stroke occurs if one of these clots breaks free and then blocks an artery leading to the brain.

Duque's research has identified the first evidence linking alendronate to arrhythmia at the cellular level.

However, more experiments in animal and human studies were needed to confirm this, he added.