[Benfluorex and valvular heart disease].

Benfluorex is responsible of restrictive organic valvular regurgitations via one of its metabolites, the norfenfluramine. It has been withdrawn from the european market in June 2010. In France, about five millions of people have been exposed to benfluorex since its market launch in 1976. At the time of its market withdrawn, over 300,000 patients in France were taking the drug. Aortic and mitral valves are the most frequent involved. The prevalence of this type of valve damage is not yet known with accuracy. Severe regurgitations appear to be rare (less than one case per thousand exposed patients-year).