Utility of statin therapy using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as an indicator of coronary heart disease risk.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), a nonspecific marker of inflammation, is a newly available biomarker for predicting the risk of cardiovascular events. CRP has been shown to predict risk of cardiovascular events independent of traditional risk factors and in the setting of low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Statins have been shown to decrease CRP, and studies are now under way to evaluate if targeting patients with high CRP and low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol will have any impact on future cardiovascular events and survival and whether changes in CRP correlate to event reduction. The utility of CRP as a target of therapy remains to be proved, and these ongoing studies will likely provide us with guidance.