Anti-inflammatory drug may help prevent heart attacks

Conclusion This well-conducted study shows promising signs that canakinumab may reduce the risk of future heart attacks and other cardiovascular events in people who've had them in the past. But before any changes are made to the current licensing of this drug, further research is needed to confirm the beneficial effects and the optimal dose. Most importantly, researchers will need to focus on the observation that the drug lowered white blood cell counts and increased the risk of fatal infection. They estimated around 1 in every 300 people taking canakinumab would die of a fatal infection. This number, while low, is still a concern if you're planning to potentially treat thousands of people. It also remains to be seen how this drug compares with existing drugs used in the secondary prevention of heart attack. Many people could potentially be eligible for this treatment, so we need to be sure that the benefits outweigh any risks. Links To The Headlines Anti-inflammatory drug 'cuts heart attack risk'. BBC News, August 28 2017 Best heart drug since statins: New injection could save thousands of lives by preventing heart attacks and also slash cancer risk. Mail Online, August 27 2107 Heart attack and cancer deaths could be cut by new drug. Sky News, August 28 2017 Wonder drug breakthrough could save thousands of lives from heart attacks and cancer. Daily Mirror, August 27 2017 New wonder drug hailed as biggest breakthrough in fight against heart attacks and cancer. The Dail...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Heart/lungs Source Type: news