Purpose: Recent studies have linked the use of intravenous and orally administered bisphosphonates with subsequent development of atrial fibrillation. Patients with cancer who receive intravenous bisphosphonate therapy may be at particular risk for this adverse event because they receive higher doses of these drugs than do patients treated for other indications. We examined the association of intravenous bisphosphonates with atrial fibrillation, all classifications of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), and stroke among older patients with cancer.
Patients and methods: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked data, we identified older (≥ age 65 years) patients with cancer who were treated with intravenous infusions of bisphosphonates between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2003. We then matched 13,714 bisphosphonate nonusers to 6,857 bisphosphonate users, at a 2:1 ratio, on cancer type, age, sex, presence of bone metastases, and SEER geographic region. Patients were observed until December 31, 2003 or until they lost coverage from Medicare Parts A and B; enrolled in a health maintenance organization; received a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, any SVT, or stroke; or died.
Results: Receipt of intravenous bisphosphonates was modestly associated with an increased risk for atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.43), all SVT (HR = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.38), and stroke (HR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.54). The risk for all SVT increased 7% for each increase of five bisphosphonate dose equivalents (HR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.12).
Conclusion: Clinicians who treat patients with cancer who have received intravenous bisphosphonates should be aware of the possible cardiovascular adverse events associated with this treatment.