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Evidence summaries

Phosphodiesterase III Inhibitors for Heart Failure

Phosphodiesterase III inhibitor class drugs taken orally and long term are associated with increased deaths in heart failure. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 21 studies with a total of 8408 subjects. Four specific phosphodiesterase III inhibitors (PDI) derivatives and 8 molecules of PDIs have been considered.

As compared with placebo, treatment with PDIs was found to be associated with a significant 17% increased mortality rate (The relative risk was 1.17 (95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.30; p<0.001). In addition, PDIs significantly increase cardiac death, sudden death, arrhythmias and vertigos. Considering mortality from all causes, the deleterious effect of PDIs appears homogeneous whatever the concomitant use (or non-use) of vasodilating agents, the severity of heart failure, the derivative or the molecule of PDI used.

    References

    • Amsallem E, Kasparian C, Haddour G, Boissel JP, Nony P. Phosphodiesterase III inhibitors for heart failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(4):CD002230.

Primary/Secondary Keywords