Are Beta-Receptor and Angiotensin-Blocking Drugs Protective Against Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)? A Population Based Case-Control Study

Increased factor VIII:C (FVIII:C) and hypofibrinolysis are VTE risk factors, and beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce FVIII:C and enhance fibrinolysis, respectively.

To test the hypotheses that beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors reduce VTE risk.

Using longitudinal, population-based Rochester Epidemiology Project resources, we identified all Olmsted County, MN residents with objectively-diagnosed incident VTE over the 13-year period, 1988–2000 (n=1306), and one to two Olmsted County residents per case matched on age, event year and duration of prior medical history (n=1500). For cases and controls, we reviewed their complete medical history in the community for previously-identified VTE risk factors (e.g., hospitalization with or without surgery, nursing home confinement, trauma/fracture, leg paresis, active cancer, superficial vein thrombosis and varicose veins), as well as body mass index (BMI), coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and the use of statins, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonist drugs. Using conditional logistic regression, we tested beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor antagonists for an association with VTE, both individually and after adjusting for age, BMI, previously-identified VTE risk factors, CAD, CHF and the use of statins.

Among cases and controls respectively, 191 and 173 received beta-blockers, and 171 and 154 received ACE inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Univariately, both beta-blockers (unadjusted OR=1.31; p=0.02) and ACE inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor antagonists (unadjusted OR=1.32; p=0.02) were modestly associated with increased VTE risk. However, after controlling for age, BMI, previously-identified VTE risk factors, CAD, CHF and the use of statins, beta-blockers (OR=1.06; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.51; p=0.75) and ACE inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor antagonists (OR=0.94; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.37; p=0.75) were no longer associated with VTE.

Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor antagonists do not appear to be protective against VTE.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.