Lipid Lowering: Progression and Regression of Atherosclerotic Lesions

Two clinical trials with identical coronary and carotid end points indicate that aggressive reduction of blood lipoprotein level can induce beneficial change throughout the range of the atherosclerotic process. The drug treatments tested were combined colestipol/niacin and lovastatin. The data are most convincing for intrusive coronary lesions. There are also clear indications of benefit to very early pre-intrusive carotid lesions in men from CLAS and encouraging results from a small number of women in MARS.