An Assessment of Heart-Valve Abnormalities in Obese Patients Taking Dexfenfluramine, Sustained-Release Dexfenfluramine, or Placebo

• Published in: The New England journal of medicine Vol. 339; no. 11; pp. 725 - 732
• Main Authors: Weissman, Neil J, Tighe, John F, Gottdiener, John S, Gwynne, John T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA Massachusetts Medical Society 10.09.1998
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular disease; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; FDA approval; Hypertension; Medical research; Medical sciences; Obesity; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Toxicity: cardiovascular system; Ultrasonic imaging; Sonography; Amphetamine derivatives; Human; Mitral valve; Echocardiography; Cardiovascular disease; Controlled therapeutic trial; Dexfenfluramine; Chemotherapy; Randomization; Cardiac valvular disease; Placebo; Regurgitation; Double blind study; Complication; Anorectic
• ISSN: 0028-4793; 1533-4406
• DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199809103391103

Obesity is associated with serious health risks, including an increased incidence of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. 1 , 2 The use of fenfluramine and phentermine increased dramatically after a report on the efficacy of the combination was published. 3 In April 1996 dexfenfluramine hydrochloride, the dextrorotatory isomer of fenfluramine hydrochloride, was approved in the United States for the treatment of obesity. Dexfenfluramine, like fenfluramine, is an appetite-suppressant agent that acts by releasing serotonin and inhibiting its reuptake. 4 Connolly and colleagues reported on 24 patients with valvular heart disease who had been treated with fenfluramine and phentermine. 5 Another report from five centers suggested . . .