Use of colchicine in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the scientific evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of colchicine in reducing cardiovascular outcomes in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using the Publisher Medline, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases, including publications from 2020 to 2025. The descriptors “Coronary Artery Disease,” “Colchicine,” and “Inflammation” were used in combination with Boolean operators. Full original studies, published in Portuguese and English, that investigated the association between colchicine use and reduction of cardiovascular events were included. Results: The final sample comprised 25 studies, including randomized clinical trials,systematic reviews with meta-analysis, and narrative reviews. A significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events was observed, particularly myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularization, with relative risk reductions ranging from 20% to 36%. The benefit was more consistent among patients with stable chronic CAD. However, no robust evidence demonstrated a reduction in cardiovascular or all-cause mortality. Final considerations: Colchicine showed potential as an adjunctive therapeutic strategy in the secondary prevention of CAD by modulating the atherosclerotic inflammatory process. Nevertheless, long-term studies are required to better define its prognostic impact.