@article{e75d2cd60c7f4224919b62769d63754d,
title = "Cardiovascular events in patients with COPD: TORCH study results",
abstract = "BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that long-term use of beta agonists to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may increase the risk of cardiovascular adverse events. In this post hoc analysis, data from the TOwards a Revolution in COPD Health (TORCH) study were used to investigate whether use of the long-acting beta(2) agonist salmeterol over 3 years increased the risk of cardiovascular adverse events in patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS: TORCH was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study conducted at 444 centres in 42 countries. Patients (n=6184; safety population) received twice daily combined salmeterol 50 microg plus fluticasone propionate 500 microg (SFC), either component alone, or placebo. Adverse events were recorded every 12 weeks for 3 years. RESULTS: The probability of having a cardiovascular adverse event by 3 years was 24.2% for placebo, 22.7% for salmeterol, 24.3% for fluticasone propionate and 20.8% for SFC. Although a history of myocardial infarction doubled the probability of cardiovascular adverse events, the event rates remained similar across treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Post hoc analysis of the 3-year TORCH dataset showed that salmeterol alone or in combination (SFC) did not increase the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with moderate to severe COPD.",
keywords = "Adrenergic beta-Agonists, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Albuterol, Androstadienes, Bronchodilator Agents, Cardiovascular Diseases, Double-Blind Method, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Forced Expiratory Volume, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive",
author = "Calverley, {Peter M A} and Anderson, {Julie A} and Bartolome Celli and Ferguson, {Gary T} and Christine Jenkins and Jones, {Paul W} and Courtney Crim and Willits, {Lisa R} and Yates, {Julie C} and J{\o}rgen Vestbo and NN NN",
year = "2010",
doi = "10.1136/thx.2010.136077",
language = "English",
volume = "65",
pages = "719--25",
journal = "Thorax",
issn = "0040-6376",
publisher = "BMJ Publishing Group",
number = "8",
}