A trial that will both compare the effects of two statin drugs and also investigate the role of infection in heart disease was announced by Bristol-Myers Squibb on November 8.
The company said that a trial was being set up to compare pravastatin and atorvastatin in reducing the risk of heart attacks and other cardiac events. Half of the patients will also take an antibiotic. "One of the most interesting developments in cardiovascular research is the suggestion that infections with agents such as chlamydia may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis," said Dr Christopher Cannon (Harvard medical school, US), principal investigator of the PROVE IT (pravastatin or atorvastatin evaluation and infection therapy trial). "We expect to advance the clinical understanding about the possible role of a specific infection in the development of one of the world's deadliest diseases," he said.