Researchers have found that the anti-inflammatory properties of colchicine, a common medication for gout, might significantly benefit heart failure patients.
According to the study authors, the drug could also lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with cholesterol-clogged arteries.
Research Findings
“The signal for benefit with colchicine in these patients was very impressive,” said Dr. Kenneth Bilchick, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Virginia (UVA).
He anticipates that these findings will greatly influence the clinical care of heart failure patients and inspire future research into this condition.
In the study, the research team analyzed the records of over 1,000 patients admitted to the UVA Medical Center between March 2011 and February 2020 for worsening heart failure, a condition where the heart can’t pump enough blood through the body.
They found survival rates were nearly 98% for those given colchicine for a gout flare, compared with less than 94% for those not administered the drug.
Many heart failure patients also suffer from gout, a type of arthritis triggered by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints.
Usual treatments for gout include colchicine, steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin and ibuprofen.
However, heart failure patients generally do not receive steroids and NSAIDs as they can exacerbate heart failure symptoms.
The research suggests colchicine may aid heart failure patients by reducing inflammation in the heart and blood vessels.
While these initial findings need verification in larger studies, the research team deems them promising.
Heart Failure and Inflammation:
“Heart failure is more than just a failure of the pumping function of the heart,” said Dr. Sula Mazimba, a UVA School of Medicine researcher and cardiologist.
She emphasized the role of processes like elevated inflammation and neuro-hormonal activity, especially during acute hospitalization.
While many therapeutic agents for heart failure target neuro-hormonal pathways, very few address inflammatory pathways.
“Colchicine is a medication that has anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially attenuate the heightened inflammation that we see in patients who are hospitalized with heart failure,” Mazimba added.
Conclusion
Around 6 million Americans suffer from heart failure, causing more than 86,000 deaths annually, as per the American Heart Association.
The promising study results, which highlight the potential of repurposing colchicine for heart failure treatment, were recently published online in the Clinical Cardiology journal.
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The study was published in Clinical Cardiology.
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