Drugs That Raise HDL Cholesterol Levels Don't Change All-Cause Mortality or Prevent Fatal Cardiac-Related Events

HDL cholesterol levels are associated inversely with cardiovascular (CV) risks. In this meta-analysis of nearly 40 randomized, controlled trials, investigators determined whether drugs that raise HDL cholesterol levels lower risk for adverse CV outcomes in >117,000 patients.

All of the drugs — niacin, fibrates, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors — raised HDL cholesterol levels significantly. However, across all trials, none of the drugs lowered all-cause mortality, coronary heart disease–related mortality, or risk for stroke, compared with control treatments (mostly placebo). In statin-naive patients, risk for nonfatal myocardial infarction was significantly lower among those who took niacin (odds ratio, 0.7) or fibrate…