Pitavastatin Prevented Cardiovascular Events in People with HIV

People with HIV (PWH) are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those without HIV; moreover, the ASCVD risk score used to decide when to start a statin may underestimate the likelihood of CVD events in PWH. To assess whether statins should be used for primary prevention in PWH with risk scores below those recommended for the general population, investigators conducted the REPRIEVE trial in 7700 PWH aged 40–75 who were receiving antiretroviral therapy and had low-to-moderate CVD risk. All enrolled patients had 10-year ASCVD risk scores <15% (mean, 4.5%), and nearly all had LDL <160 mg/dL (median 108 mg/dL).

Patients were randomized to receive pitavastatin (chosen because it does not interact with antiretrovirals commonly used i…