Abstract

PHARMACOVIGILANCE IN CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Ashima Ravindran, Dr. Manju Mariya Thomas, Dr. Vishnu Pattayil and Sreeraj K.*

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading cause of noncommunicable disease related death globally. Increased age, comorbidity and smoking were found to be the risk factors for development of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular medications have been cited as the most common class of drug associated with adverse drug reaction and medication error. A total of 267 ADRs were reported from 261 patients. Common ADRs observed were headache, gastritis and GI bleed and contrast nephropathy. According to Hart-wig severity scale majority of the reports were moderate. A system wise classification of ADRs showed that central and peripheral nervous system related reactions were the most frequently observed adverse reactions followed by platelet, clotting, bleeding system related adverse effects. Since most patients with cardiovascular diseases are on multiple drugs it is not uncommon to see adverse drug reactions and it is important to monitor and alter therapy as and when the situation arises. Pharmacovigilance is needed in tertiary care hospitals were relatively high volume of adverse drug reactions are being detected.

Keywords: Pharmacovigilance; cardiovascular disease; adverse drug reaction.