Colchicine, a drug most familiar to cardiologists for treating acute pericarditis, is steadily gaining recognition for its potential role in treating ischaemic heart disease. The recent United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approval of low dose colchicine for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in those with established atherosclerotic disease marks a new era in preventative cardiology as the first licensed therapy to target inflammation(1). Whilst the concept of inflammation driving atherosclerosis is not novel, treatments directed at suppressing inflammation have yielded inconsistent results, with translation to clinical practice further hindered by signals of harm from serious infections. Herein we discuss the evidence behind colchicine and the upcoming landscape of inflammation-targeted therapies in cardiovascular disease.
Author Heartbeat Sub-Editor: Dr Khin Kay Kay Kyaw I am currently working as cardiology specialist registrar ST6 at southwest peninsula region while also working as
Author Sub-editor: Dr Pok-Tin Tang Dr Pok-Tin Tang is an ST5 cardiology registrar in the Thames Valley deanery, currently undertaking a period of out of
Author Sub-editor: Dr May Hu Dr May Hu is a cardiology trainee in the North West deanery. She graduated with First Class Honours from the University
Author Sub-editor: Dr Jhiamluka Solano Dr Jhiamluka Solano is a cardiology resident doctor (ST6) in the Yorkshire and Humber Deanery, currently undertaking a DPhil (PhD)