Using statins to treat inflammation in acute coronary syndromes: Are we there yet?

Inflammation and oxidative damage play direct roles in coronary artery disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) is currently the best available marker of inflammation, and statins can potentially reduce coronary inflammation. Until now, CRP testing has been somewhat controversial in the context of cardiovascular disease, as has statin treatment specifically to treat inflammation. However, three recent studies showed that early and aggressive treatment with statins reduces future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes; another study showed that aggressive statin treatment leads to regression of stable coronary artery disease. In all the studies, the benefit correlated with reductions in CRP.