LDL-cholesterol lowering and atherosclerosis - clinical benefit and possible mechanisms: an update

Abstract The results of several lipid-lowering randomized trials have been released during the past years and have confirmed the lipid hypothesis. Reduction of cholesterol by potent drugs in clinically symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with above-average cholesterol levels will substantially reduce the risk of coronary events. The present article gives a review of potent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering treatments and discusses developments in hypolipidaemic therapy in relation to recent primary and secondary prevention studies. In addition, possible mechanisms of cholesterol lowering in retardation of the atherosclerotic process are summarised.