Risk of Hospitalization for Myocardial Infarction Among Users of Rofecoxib, Celecoxib, and Other NSAIDs

Abstract
The withdrawal of rofecoxib based on an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke among patients treated for longer than 18 months in the Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on Vioxx (APPROVe) trial marks a dramatic event in the history of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).1 This has further been underscored by the decision by the US National Cancer Institute to halt the ongoing Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial owing to increased cardiovascular risk among patients receiving celecoxib.2