EBCT and Lipitor

The Futility of Primary Prevention by Panaceia

This study, funded by Pfizer, must have been a terrible shock to its patron. The coronary artery calcium (CAC) volume is presumably related to the total amount of plaque. Even high dose Lipitor did not prevent the increase in CAC, which actually increased by about 25% in one year. The investigators concluded, somewhat euphemistically, that "at least over the course of 1 year, lipid-lowering therapy cannot be expected to significantly influence the progression of CAC [atherosclerotic plaque]". Of course, this is what all of the studies of statins in primary prevention had concluded, no mortality reduction and only minor effects on coronary events. So, we can safely abandon all use statins in primary prevention.

We are waiting for someone to fund a study of lifestyle change on CAC progression but we aren't holding our breaths.