The role of bisphosphonates: potential novel pharmaceutical therapy for reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most significant and costly public health problems in the U.S. and worldwide. In addition to the well-established risk factors, such as hypertension or diabetes, growing bodies of studies have demonstrated that vascular calcification is another strong and independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathological process of vascular calcification includes many key modulators of bone and mineral metabolism. Hence, the question is raised regarding whether pharmacological agents for inhibiting bone loss can also provide a beneficial impact on inhibiting vascular calcification to lower CVD risks. The primary objectives of this study were to: 1) examine the association between bisphosphonate use and the risk of a composite endpoint of congestive heart failure (CHF), myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke hospitalization, and 2) examine the impact of patient adherence to bisphosphonate therapy on the risk of CHF, MI or stroke hospitalization.