Expert: No Link Between Vioxx-Heart Attacks

By JOHN CURRAN

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Wrapping up Merck & Co.’s defense, a cardiology expert told jurors in a product liability trial Wednesday that he believes there is no link between Vioxx and heart attacks, even with long-term use.

Dr. John Michael Gaziano, a Harvard Medical School professor, said low-dose use of the Cox-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx confers no more risk on users than use of dummy pills. The drugs block the Cox-2 enzyme that promotes inflammation, but protect the stomach lining, unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs.

There is no proof that either short-term or long-term use of the now-withdrawn painkiller leads to increased risk of serious cardiovascular complications, according to Gaziano, one of Merck’s final witnesses in the seven-week trial. The case focuses on an Idaho postal worker who blames his 2001 heart attack on Vioxx.

Frederick “Mike” Humeston, 60, of Boise, took Vioxx for about two months to relieve knee pain from a Vietnam War wound before he was stricken. Merck acknowledges links between the drug and heart attacks and strokes after 18 months’ use, but contends that Humeston had not been taking Vioxx long enough to be at risk.

Gaziano, an expert in cardiology and epidemiology hired by Merck, contradicted statements of experts who testified on Humeston’s behalf that Vioxx caused his heart attack.

He also contradicted the findings of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which last April concluded that Cox-2 inhibitors are associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death with long-term use.

Merck blames the heart attack on Humeston, saying elevated blood pressure, excess weight and on-the-job stress triggered the attack, which he survived.

His case is one of more than 7,000 suits filed against Merck over Vioxx, and plaintiff lawyers say thousands more suits will be filed in the future.

In the first Vioxx trial, a Texas jury in August found Merck liable in a Vioxx user’s death, awarding his widow $253 million. The award will be cut to about $26 million because Texas caps punitive damages, and Merck plans to appeal that verdict.

Merck may call one more witness in its defense, but no decision had been made early Wednesday, spokesman Jim Fitzpatrick said. Closing arguments are expected to begin Friday.

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On the Net: http://www.merck.com