I searched the United State's National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database for all relevant English-language studies and clinical trials of C-reactive protein published between January 1990 and February 2005. The following Medical Subject Heading terms and keywords were used: randomized, controlled clinical trials, clinical trials, or cohort studies and (+) C-reactive protein, and (+) coronary disease or cardiovascular diseases. These terms were then combined with the following terms: acute coronary syndromes, drug effects, endothelial cells, hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors, inflammation, LDL cholesterol, lipoproteins, metabolic syndrome, myocardial infarction, risk factors, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.