Anti-inflammatory agents and preventing cardiovascular disease.

This study looked into whether inflammation increases the risk of a first thrombotic event, and whether treatment with aspirin decreases the risk. Their findings are that plasma concentration of C-reactive protein predicts the risk of future myocardial infarction and stroke, and that the reduction associated with the use of aspirin in the risk of a first myocardial infarction appears to be directly related to the level of C-reactive protein.

This raises the possibility that anti-inflammatory agents may have clinical benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease.