The risk of developing sustained atrial fibrillation was nearly six-times higher compared with transitory or intermittent atrial fibrillation, for which the risk was significantly lower.
Atrial fibrillation was not associated with cumulative alendronate dose or interval since the first prescription of alendronate. The authors estimate that 3 percent of the atrial fibrillation in this patient population might be explained by alendronate use.
Heckbert and her associates conclude that "it is important to carefully weigh the benefits against the possible risk of atrial fibrillation in women who have only modestly increased fracture risk and in women who have risk factors for atrial fibrillation, such as diabetes mellitus, coronary disease, or heart failure."
SOURCE: Archive of Internal Medicine, April 28, 2008.
