Getting to the heart of COX-2 risk

COX-2 inhibitors were designed to provide relief from inflammatory pain similar to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs without the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with NSAIDs. But studies have suggested that there may be an increased risk of cardiovascular thrombotic events in people taking the inhibitors. Now researchers have published a proposed mechanism that could be responsible for increased cardiovascular risk.

Prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) is produced in cells by the cyclooxygenase enzymes. In vascular endothelial cells, the primary isoform present is COX-2, while in platelets and gastric epithelial cells, the primary isoform is COX-1. ...