A Controlled Trial of Substantial Reduction of Plasma Lipids in Symptomatic Atherosclerosis: An Angiographic Study

Abstract

Hypercholesterolaemia, low HDL Cholesterol levels and hypertriglyceridaemia are predictive of increased risk of atherosclerotic diseases. To establish that these associations represent cause and effect, however, it is necessary to show that control of these risk factors favourably affects the natural history of atherosclerosis and its consequences. Three forms of intervention study have been carried out in man, in which plasma lipoprotein levels have been modified by diet, drugs or other therapeutic measures¹. Most trials of primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) have suggested that its incidence is reduced¹; in the most rigorously-designed trial a lipid lowering diet together with anti-smoking counselling was employed 2. Of the CHO secondary prevention trials same have achieved a reduction in events while others have had negative outcomes.