Reappraisal of statin primary prevention trials: implications for identification of the statin-eligible primary prevention patient

Results of primary prevention RCTs justify treatment of more subjects and lower risk subjects than current risk algorithm-based guidelines. Based on a synthesis of RCT inclusion/exclusion criteria and the characteristics of enrollees, we propose that a statin-indicated primary prevention subject is one who is 40 to 70 years with a low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 3.0 mmol/L or is 55 to 80 years with LDL-C ≥ 1.8 mmol/L and additional risk factors.