Inflammatory hypothesis of atherogenesis: Will colchicine be added to the armamentarium in the prevention of coronary artery disease?

Chronic inflammation promotes the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Despite aggressive risk reduction, patients with coronary artery disease have a significant residual risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death related in part to ongoing inflammation within coronary vasculature. In this review, we summarize the clinical trials that provide evidence for the inflammatory hypothesis of atherogenesis. Additionally, we describe studies suggesting colchicine may be able to reduce residual inflammatory risk via the NLRP3 pathway. Given its tolerable side effect profile, safety, and low cost, colchicine holds promise as an anti-inflammatory agent in primary and secondary prevention of coronary disease.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(© 2021 The Authors.)