Targeting residual inflammatory risk: The next frontier for atherosclerosis treatment and prevention

Paul M Ridker1

  • 1From the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Division of Preventive Medicine and the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Vascular Pharmacology
|October 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Low-dose colchicine significantly reduces cardiovascular events in patients with residual inflammatory risk, even with optimal statin therapy. This anti-inflammatory approach offers a new strategy for managing atherosclerosis beyond cholesterol reduction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is driven by the synergistic effects of inflammation and hyperlipidemia.
  • Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are both associated with improved outcomes.
  • Residual inflammatory risk, indicated by hsCRP, is a significant predictor of recurrent cardiovascular events, even in patients on statin therapy.

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