Viera Fedelešová
Selective cyclooxygenese - 2 (COX - 2) inhibitors present a new group of nonsteroidal anti - inflamatory drugs (NSAID), which inhibit cyclooxygenase - 2 selectively and were developed to reduce the gastrointestinal toxicity of conventional, nonspecific NSAID. However, COX - 2 inhibitors decrease vasodilatory and antiaggregatory prostacyclin production and may lead to increased protrombotic activity. The results of some clinical trials with a newer, more selectictive COX - 2 inhibitors have recently raised some concerns regarding cardiovascular safety of these drugs. The widespread use of these agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoathritis and acute pain, mandates prospective, randomized evaluations of the cardiovascular safety of COX - 2 inhibitors.