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Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein concentrations predict cardiovascular events in patients with coronary

P Marschang1, A Sandhofer, A Ritsch

  • 1Clinical Division of General Internal Medicine, Clinical Department of Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.

Journal of Internal Medicine
|August 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) concentrations, not CETP TaqIB genotypes, predict cardiovascular events in pravastatin-treated coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Higher baseline CETP levels correlate with fewer events, despite elevated LDL cholesterol.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The B1B1 variant of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB polymorphism and high plasma CETP concentrations are linked to favorable angiographic outcomes in pravastatin-treated coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.
  • Previous findings suggest a correlation between CETP and cardiovascular health, but its predictive value for clinical endpoints requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if CETP TaqIB genotypes and/or baseline plasma CETP concentrations predict clinical endpoints in patients with CAD.
  • To assess the relationship between CETP genetic variations, plasma concentrations, and cardiovascular event occurrence in patients receiving pravastatin therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal observational study involving 1620 men and women with pre-existing CAD.
  • 1389 hypercholesterolemic patients were included, with 1002 completing a 2-year follow-up after initiating pravastatin treatment.
  • Cardiovascular events were monitored as the primary outcome measure.

Main Results:

  • A total of 100 patients experienced at least one cardiovascular event.
  • Significantly more events occurred in patients with the lowest quartile of plasma CETP concentrations compared to the highest (OR 3.20, P=0.001).
  • No significant difference in cardiovascular events was observed between different CETP TaqIB genotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma CETP concentrations, but not CETP TaqIB genotypes, predict cardiovascular events in pravastatin-treated CAD patients.
  • Higher baseline plasma CETP concentrations are associated with fewer cardiovascular events, even with elevated LDL cholesterol levels.
  • These findings highlight the prognostic value of plasma CETP levels in managing CAD patients on statin therapy.
Abstract

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