High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and clopidogrel treatment in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events: a substudy from the CHARISMA trial.

Aims: This study investigated the effect of clopidogrel treatment on inflammatory activity as evidenced by the change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in a broad population of patients who are at high risk of atherothrombotic events. The predictive value of hsCRP levels for a treatment benefit of clopidogrel was also explored.

Methods: The study included 8021 patients with established atherosclerotic disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors enrolled in the CHARISMA trial.