Inflammation plays a central role in atherosclerosis development and subsequent cardiovascular complications, including heart attack and stroke. Patients with inflammatory conditions such as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) present with an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, which is likely driven by unresolved systemic inflammation. Targeting this heightened inflammatory burden may present a novel therapeutic strategy to attenuate heart attack risk in CAP survivors. Icosapent ethyl (IPE), an omega-3 fatty acid, demonstrates both pro-resolving and cardioprotective properties. The Targeting Vascular Inflammation In Patients with CAP (TIN-CAP) trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of IPE in mitigating vascular inflammation in CAP survivors.

TIN-CAP is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible adults diagnosed with CAP in hospital or the emergency department will complete baseline assessments within 14 days of diagnosis including ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/CT angiography, bloodwork and quality of life evaluation (EuroQol – 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D)). Participants will then be randomised 1:1 to receive IPE (4 g/day) or placebo for 6 months. Follow-up visits will occur at 30 days (bloodwork and EQ-5D only) and 6 months. The primary endpoint is the change in FDG uptake in the ascending aorta from baseline to 6 months between IPE and placebo groups. Secondary endpoints include FDG uptake in the bone marrow, spleen, lungs and other vasculature, in addition to major adverse cardiac events and quality of life assessments. An initial lead-in cohort of 18 patients will be enrolled to assess recruitment, imaging feasibility and IPE tolerability prior to full trial enrolment. These patients will remain blinded and will be included in the final analysis (Vanguard design).

The TIN-CAP trial has been approved provincially by the Clinical Trials Ontario Research Ethics Board (approval number: 5045). Participants will provide written informed consent prior to enrolment. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

NCT06710080.