C-Reactive Protein Level Doesn't Predict Statin Response in High-Risk Patients

Reanalysis of the largest randomized statin trial to date suggests a cardiovascular risk reduction irrespective of baseline CRP levels.

Although C-reactive protein (CRP) has become an important blood marker of cardiovascular risk beyond traditional risk factors, whether clinicians should use CRP level to guide patient management remains debated. The partially manufacturer-funded Heart Protection Study (HPS) previously demonstrated a beneficial effect of simvastatin in high-risk patients across all levels of LDL cholesterol (JW Cardiol Aug 9 2002). Now, the HPS investigators have tested whether the effects of statin therapy differ depending on baseline CRP levels. The 20,536 participants (aged 40–80, with a previous diagnosis of any vascular disease or diabetes or taking antihypertensive medication) were randomly assigned to 40 mg of simvastatin daily or placebo for a mean o…

Reviewing Author

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)

C-Reactive Protein Level Doesn't Predict Statin Response in High-Risk Patients

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Reviewing Author