Improvements in kidney function in patients treated with Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) were shown to strongly correlate with a reduced risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, according to a post hoc sub-analysis of the five-year Treating to New Targets (TNT) study presented today at the Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association.

"This is the first time for any statin that an association between improvements in kidney function and a reduction in cardiovascular events has been shown," said Dr James Shepherd, clinical academic consultant, department of pathological biochemistry, University of Glasgow Medical School, and lead investigator of the analysis. "This is important for patients, since studies have shown that people with high cholesterol have a more rapid decrease in kidney function over time and that chronic kidney disease is more frequent in patients with cardiovascular disease."

In this new post hoc analysis, kidney function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), as recommended by the National Kidney Foundation. Increases in eGFR indicate improved kidney function.

Lipitor has previously been shown to provide dose-dependent increases in eGFR in heart disease patients. Findings from this new analysis showed that in patients with heart disease treated with Lipitor, for each 1 mL/min/1.73 m2 increase in eGFR there was a 2.7 percent relative reduction in risk of major cardiovascular events. Similar risk reductions per 1 mL/min/1.73 m2 increase in eGFR were observed for secondary endpoints such as major coronary events, nonfatal heart attack and fatal or nonfatal stroke.
"This analysis is exciting because it suggests a potential additional benefit of Lipitor -- improving kidney function while reducing cardiovascular events," said Dr Rochelle Chaiken, vice president of Pfizer's cardiovascular and metabolic medical division.

Throughout the TNT study, both doses of Lipitor (10 and 80 mg) were generally well-tolerated.