title: Effects of dalcetrapib in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In observational analyses, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol have been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease events. However, whether raising HDL cholesterol levels therapeutically reduces cardiovascular risk remains uncertain. Inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) raises HDL cholesterol levels and might therefore improve cardiovascular outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly assigned 15,871 patients who had had a recent acute coronary syndrome to receive the CETP inhibitor dalcetrapib, at a dose of 600 mg daily, or placebo, in addition to the best available evidence-based care. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of death from coronary heart disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, unstable angina, or cardiac arrest with resuscitation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of randomization, the mean HDL cholesterol level was 42 mg per deciliter (1.1 mmol per liter), and the mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level was 76 mg per deciliter (2.0 mmol per liter). Over the course of the trial, HDL cholesterol levels increased from baseline by 4 to 11% in the placebo group and by 31 to 40% in the dalcetrapib group. Dalcetrapib had a minimal effect on LDL cholesterol levels. Patients were followed for a median of 31 months. At a prespecified interim analysis that included 1135 primary end-point events (71% of the projected total number), the independent data and safety monitoring board recommended termination of the trial for futility. As compared with placebo, dalcetrapib did not alter the risk of the primary end point (cumulative event rate, 8.0% and 8.3%, respectively; hazard ratio with dalcetrapib, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.93 to 1.16; P=0.52) and did not have a significant effect on any component of the primary end point or total mortality. The median C-reactive protein level was 0.2 mg per liter higher and the mean systolic blood pressure was 0.6 mm Hg higher with dalcetrapib as compared with placebo (P<0.001 for both comparisons).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients who had had a recent acute coronary syndrome, dalcetrapib increased HDL cholesterol levels but did not reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. (Funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche; dal-OUTCOMES ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00658515.).
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, 80220, USA. gregory.schwartz@va.gov
authors.forename: Gregory G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Anders G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abt
authors.forename: Christie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barter
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brumm
authors.forename: Bernard R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Chaitman
authors.forename: Ingar M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Holme
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kallend
authors.forename: Lawrence A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Leiter
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leitersdorf
authors.forename: John J V
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McMurray
authors.forename: Hardi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mundl
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: Prediman K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tardif
authors.forename: R Scott
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wright
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000577:Amides; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004952:Esters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004952:Esters; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D014280:Triglycerides; C411602:dalcetrapib; D002097:C-Reactive Protein