Evaluating cardiac safety of tiotropium in patients with COPD: Combined analysis of Holter-ECG data from four trials

Background: Extensive clinical trial data have shown that different doses of tiotropium, administered via either HandiHaler® 18 µg (HH18) or Respimat®, improves lung function, quality of life and reduces exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, there is concern that antimuscarinic agents may induce cardiac arrhythmias in a vulnerable subpopulation of patients with cardiovascular comorbidity. Aims and objectives: To support the cardiac safety of tiotropium maintenance therapy by investigating heart rate and arrhythmia parameters. Methods: Combined analysis of all tiotr…