What is the association of cardiovascular events with clinical failure in patients with community-acquired pneumonia?

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Several investigators recently reported an increased risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). CVEs may be the primary determinant of clinical failure in hospitalized patients with CAP. Future research may be necessary to identify patients at risk of CVEs during or after an episode of CAP. In these patients, therapeutics beyond antibiotics (eg, heparin or aspirin) may be indicated during and after hospitalization.