Effect of aggressive versus conventional lipid-lowering treatment on coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis: design and baseline characteristics of the LDL-Apheresis Atherosclerosis Regression Study (LAARS)

In this open randomized 2-year study in hypercholesterolaemic men with severe coronary atherosclerosis, the effect of aggressive lipid lowering with LDL-apheresis plus simvastatin will be compared with conventional lipid-lowering treatment with simvastatin alone. Treatments will be compared by means of quantitative coronary angiography and videodensitometric assessment of the coronary perfusion. Secondary, peripheral vascular disease of the carotid artery and the aorto-tibial tract will be followed by ultrasonographic techniques. Changes in endpoints will be related to changes in lipid and lipoprotein levels.