Adverse Drug Reactions Of Cardiovascular Drugs In Intensive Cardiac Care Unit In A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in developing countries like India. Patients with cardiovascular diseases are prescribed multiple drugs, hence polypharmacy may attribute to higher incidence of adverse drug reactions in these patients. To monitor and to analyze the pattern of occurrence of adverse drug reactions reported with cardiovascular drugs in intensive cardiac care unit of a tertiary care hospital, Chennai. This was a prospective surveillance study carried out for a period of 6 months. Analysis of various adverse drug reactions reported were done using various assessment scales. Descriptive statistics was used and values were expressed in numbers and percentage. During the study period, 282 adverse reactions were reported from 389 patientsat includes 232 males and 157 females. The average age of the patients included in this study was 58.1± 16.8 years . The most common ADRs observed were electrolyte imbalance (14.89%), headache (13.12%) and gastritis (12.41%). Assessment using WHO Causality assessment scale revealed 60.28% were possible, 18.43% probable, 12.76% certain and 8.51% unlikely. According to Schumock and Thornton scale 65.9% of ADRs were preventable and 34% non preventable. Analysis with Hartwig and Seigel’s scale 62.05% of ADRs were moderate in severity, 27.95% mild and 10.99% severe. Drugs attributing to highest ADRs were Digoxin and Furosemide. The common ADRs due to cardiovascular drugs can be reduced by improving the prescription pattern. Intense monitoring and reporting of ADRs could help in minimizing the preventable ADRs, among the health care professionals.