Long-Term Effects of Pravastatin on Plasma Concentration of C-reactive Protein

• DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.100.3.230
• Publication Date: 2012-06-12T00:42:29Z
• Authors: Paul M. Ridker; Nader Rifai; Marc A. Pfeffer; Frank Sacks; Eugene Braunwald
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 3. Good health

Background —Elevated plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We evaluated whether long-term therapy pravastatin, an agent that reduces risk, might alter levels this inflammatory parameter. Methods and Results —CRP were measured at baseline 5 years in 472 randomly selected participants the Cholesterol Recurrent Events (CARE) trial who remained free recurrent coronary events during follow-up. Overall, CRP highly correlated ( r =0.60, P <0.001). However, among those allocated to placebo, median mean change tended increase over time (median change, +4.2%; =0.2 +0.07 mg/dL; =0.04). By contrast, decreased pravastatin −17.4%; =0.004 −0.07 =0.002). Thus, statistically significant differences observed between placebo groups terms (difference, −21.6%; =0.007), −37.8%; =0.002), absolute −0.137 =0.003). These effects persisted analyses stratified by age, body mass index, smoking status, blood pressure, lipid levels. Attempts relate magnitude lipids both did not reveal any obvious relationships. Conclusions —Among survivors myocardial infarction on standard plus In randomization resulted reductions marker related alterations observed. these data further support potential for nonlipid agent.