HDL and Cardiovascular Risk in the Presence of Very Low LDL

Population-based studies show that HDL levels <40 mg/dL (<1.03 mmol/L) are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. To find out whether this association remains when LDL levels are effectively reduced with high-dose statin treatment, researchers conducted a post hoc study of data from the manufacturer-sponsored JUPITER trial (JW Cardiol Nov 10 2008). A total of 17,802 patients with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and baseline LDL levels <130 mg/dL (<3.37 mmol/L) and without cardiovascular disease or diabetes were randomized to receive rosuvastatin (20 mg daily) or placebo. The composite endpoint of myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, arterial revascularization, and cardiovascular death wa…