The Impact of Tredaptive on Flow-Mediated Dilation in Cardiac Patients
The Impact of Tredaptive on Flow-Mediated Dilation in Cardiac Patients
Laropiprant (LRP; Merck & Co., Inc, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) is a potent, once-daily,
 highly selective PGD2-receptor (DP1) antagonist. A combination tablet containing 1 g of
 extended-release niacin and 20 mg of laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) offers improved tolerability,
 supporting a simplified 1-2 g dosing paradigm and improved adherence. Statins and niacin
 improve endothelial function in cardiac patients, however, there is no data yet regarding the
 additive effects of raising HDL-C by ERN/LRPT and statins on endothelial function in cardiac
 patients. Thus the aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of 3 months'
 administration of ERN/LRPT compared to placebo added to statins on endothelial function,
 assessed by brachial artery vasoreactivity in stable cardiac patients.
Endothelial dysfunction reflects a vascular phenotype prone to atherogenesis and may
 therefore serve as a marker of an inherent atherosclerotic risk. In line with this
 hypothesis, dysfunction of either the coronary or peripheral vascular endothelium was shown
 to constitute an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, providing valuable
 prognostic information additional to that derived from conventional risk factor assessment.
 Interventions, such as risk factor modification and treatment with various drugs, including
 statins and niacin, may improve endothelial function leading potentially to improve
 prognosis.

 Research over the past years has identified numerous beneficial effects of high-density
 lipoprotein (HDL) beyond this property. These include, but not limited to, improvement of
 endothelial function, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, antioxidative effects and the
 stimulation of endothelial regeneration. Consequently, therapeutic elevation of HDL is among
 the primary goals of treatment of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Laropiprant
 (LRP; Merck & Co., Inc, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) is a potent, once-daily, highly
 selective PGD2-receptor (DP1) antagonist. A combination tablet containing 1 g of
 extended-release niacin and 20 mg of laropiprant (ERN/LRPT) offers improved tolerability,
 supporting a simplified 1-2 g dosing paradigm and improved adherence. Statins and niacin
 improve endothelial function in CAD patients, however, there is no data yet regarding the
 additive effects of raising HDL-C by ERN/LRPT and statins on endothelial function in CAD
 patients. Thus the aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of 3 months'
 administration of ERN/LRPT compared to placebo added to statins on endothelial function,
 assessed by brachial artery vasoreactivity, and platelet function in stable CAD patients .
Inclusion criteria:

 1. Male or female ≥ 18 years; signed informed consent

 2. Outpatient CAD patients on statin therapy.

 3. HDL-C < 40 mg/dL in males and < 50 mg/dL in females.

 4. Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction ≥ 40% measured within the past 6 months.

 5. No changes in cardiac medications during 2 weeks prior to enrollment.

 Exclusion criteria:

 1. Presence of transplanted tissue or organ or LVAD

 2. AICD or CRT or CRTD patients.

 3. Acute MI, CABG, PCI within past 3 months.

 4. Congestive heart failure (CHF) ≥ NYHA 2.

 5. Ejection fraction < 40% measured within the past 6 months.

 6. Malignancy.

 7. Active myocarditis, or cardiomyopathy.

 8. HIV infection or immunodeficiency state.

 9. Chronic viral infection.

 10. Acute systemic infection requiring antibiotics.

 11. Chronic diarrhea or malabsorption.

 12. Statin therapy initiation ≤ 3 months.

 13. Diabetes mellitus type 1.

 14. Diabetes mellitus type 2 with HbA1C > 7%

 15. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) > 100 mg/dL.

 16. Not on statin therapy.

 17. Liver function tests (LFT) ≥ x 3 upper limit of normal (ULN) or creatinine kinase
 (CPK) ≥ x 10 ULN.

 18. Hypo/hyper thyroidism.

 19. Liver dysfunction.

 20. Renal failure with serum creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dL.

 21. Alcohol or drug abuse.

 22. Refuse to sign informed consent.