Colchicine in cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Colchicine has been used since ancient times for gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Inflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis thus paving a way for the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the management of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The role of colchicine in the management of pericarditis has been well established. It has been evident from clinical trials the beneficial effects of colchicine in various cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and postcardiotomy syndromes. The most frequently used dose of colchicine is 0.5 mg once a day, with duration varying according to clinical condition. The widespread availability, low cost and acceptable side effect profile has made colchicine an attractive therapeutic option. The aim of this article is to summarize colchicine's mechanism of action and evidence from various trials of its use in CVD in the current era.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• cardiovascular diseases
• coronary artery disease
• pericarditis
• postpericardiotomy syndrome