HPS2-Thrive Study Proves No Benefit From Adding Extended Release Niacin in Patients with Pre-Existing Cardiovascular Disease

Saturday, 09 March 2013 13:12

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2013

A new study, HPS2-THRIVE, presented at the ACC 2013 Scientific Session in San Francisco reveals that the addition of extended release (ER) niacin to patients on statin therapy with well-controlled LDL shows no significant reduction in major vascular events.

The trial, which studied over 25,000 patients over four years, revealed a 4% non-significant reduction in major vascular events in patients who added ER niacin to statin therapy. In addition, the trial revealed significant adverse affects on these patients, such as increased diabetic issues, infection, skin conditions, GI issues and more.  

“For patients with controlled LDL and HDL, adding niacin to statin therapy has more risk than benefit,” says Dr. Lynne Braun, PhD, CNP, CLS, FAHA, FPCNA, FAAN of the Rush University and Heart & Vascular Institute in Chicago and member of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) board of directors.

“However, there are more targeted groups that may benefit from niacin added to statin therapy, such as patients with high Lp(a). Future studies should target such populations to see if the outcome of this trial could be more significant.”

For more information about the trial, visit www.thrivestudy.org.

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Contact: Abby Despins, 920.606.2115, adespins@pcna.net

About PCNA: The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) is the leading nursing organization dedicated to preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) through assessing risk, facilitating lifestyle changes, and guiding individuals to achieve treatment goals. The mission of PCNA is to promote nurses as leaders in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. PCNA does this by educating and supporting nurses through the development of professional and patient education, leadership, and advocacy.

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