Targeting Vascular Inflammation In Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (TIN-CAP): protocol for a multicentre,...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Inflammation Research
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Systemic inflammation from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) elevates cardiovascular event risk.
• Targeting inflammation may offer a novel strategy to reduce heart attack risk in CAP survivors.
• Icosapent ethyl (IPE), an omega-3 fatty acid, possesses anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of IPE in mitigating vascular inflammation in CAP survivors.
• To assess the impact of IPE on reducing atherosclerosis markers post-pneumonia.
• To determine if IPE can attenuate the heightened cardiovascular risk associated with CAP.

Main Methods:

• A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (TIN-CAP).
• Participants receive IPE (4g/day) or placebo for 6 months.
• Primary endpoint: change in ascending aorta 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake via PET/CT angiography from baseline to 6 months.

Main Results:

• Primary endpoint analysis is pending trial completion.
• Secondary endpoints include changes in FDG uptake in other vascular beds and major adverse cardiac events.
• A vanguard cohort will assess feasibility and tolerability prior to full enrollment.

Conclusions:

• The TIN-CAP trial will provide crucial data on IPE's role in managing vascular inflammation after CAP.
• Findings may establish a new therapeutic approach for cardiovascular risk reduction in pneumonia patients.
• The study's results will be disseminated through publications and presentations.