Pfizer trial yields important HDL results

Pfizer’s largest ever clinical trials are yielding some important results regarding the reduction of LDL cholesterol and the raising of HDL cholesterol, according to the company.

The pharmaceutical company’s torcetrapib/atorvastatin clinical trial programme, involving 25,000 patients, found that increased HDL levels meant a lower occurrence of heart attack and stroke.

By treating patients to a level of LDL below medical guidelines and raising HDL levels by as little as one mg/dL, the risk of heart attack or stroke was reduced by two per cent.

“This study further supports the potential benefits of managing HDL levels as an additional target for patients who are already receiving statin therapy,” said Dr Philip Barter, lead author, TNT (Treating to New Targets) sub-analysis, the Heart Institute in Sydney, Australia.

“While lowering LDL cholesterol remains a critical focus in cardiovascular disease prevention, the TNT sub-analysis suggests that HDL cholesterol may also provide important therapeutic benefits that may result in further reductions in cardiovascular risk.”

The trials also found that when the torcetrapib/atorvastin treatment was undertaken in the morning, levels of HDL were 12 per cent higher than when the treatment was administered in the evening.

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