Cardiovascular disease - statins: review proposal - July 2011

Review of NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance no. 94: Statins for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease or those with established cardiovascular disease

TA94; Statins for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease or those with established cardiovascular disease was published in January 2006. We recently became aware of a potential overlap with a clinical guideline, and as such, this has prompted the Institute to re-look at the existing guidance and the possible scope for a review.

We believe that this topic would be better dealt with within the context of a clinical guideline. Consequently we propose that the review of the original guidance be updated within a review of the NICE guideline CG67;Cardiovascular risk assessment and the modification of blood lipids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, which is currently being considered for review.

If, after CG67 has been reviewed and updated, any of the previously incorporated recommendations of TA94 are changed then these recommendations will be withdrawn on publication of the updated guideline. If any recommendations remain the same, then TA94 (in whole or in part) will remain on the static list and will continue to exist alongside the guideline.

In order to be completely confident that this is appropriate, we are asking all relevant consultees and commentators, to inform us of any evidence which will help us decide the best way to update this guidance. Please see appendix A for a full list of the organisations we have contacted.