Cardiac Concerns Grow

The clinical evidence linking GlaxoSmithKline's NRTI Ziagen to heart disease continues to mount, with researchers reporting in the journal AIDS that their analysis of more than 2,700 HIVers confirms increased cardiac risks. Using electrocardiograms to identify artery blockages and tests identifying blood-based biochemical markers for heart or artery problems, the researchers found that HIVers taking Ziagen had significantly higher instances of blockages and other signs of cardiovascular disease. The findings were remarkably similar to those of another large study announced earlier this year, the researchers say.