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Design and Rationale of the ARBITER 6 Trial (Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol)-6-HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies in Atherosclerosis (HALTS)

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Abstract

Background

Recent evidence on the use of statin therapy indicates the potential for ultra-low levels of LDL-C to provide greater protection from recurrent coronary heart disease events. Guidelines for the treatment of lipid disorders were revised to indicate that an LDL-C treatment goal of 70 mg/dl was optional (NCEP ATPIII). In these same guidelines, low levels of HDL-C are also suggested but not specifically proscribed as a target of therapy. Recently ARBITER 2 (Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol 2) has provided the first evidence of the potential of raising HDL-C with extended release niacin when added to statin monotherapy in secondary prevention. However, whether this approach would be superior to a strategy in which lower concentrations of LDL-C are targeted is unknown.

Materials and methods

ARBITER 6-HALTS ( HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies) will be a randomized, parallel group, open-label study comparing HDL-C and LDL-C focused strategies of lipid treatments for their effects on atherosclerosis. Up to 400 subjects will be assigned to either intensified LDL-C lowering therapy with ezetimibe or HDL-C raising therapy with extended-release niacin. The primary endpoint is the mean change in the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery after 14 months. Secondary endpoints include the change in lipid values and lipid subfractions, drug discontinuation due to adverse effects, change in quality of life, and a composite endpoint consisting of all major adverse cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

ARBITER 6-HALTS will guide clinicians on whether a lipid treatment strategy of raising HDL-C or further LDL-C reduction is superior in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Service, Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    Patrick J. Devine & Allen J. Taylor

  2. Center for Cardiac and Vascular Research, Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, MD, USA

    Mark A. Turco

  3. Cardiology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Ave. NW, Building 2, Room 4A28, Washington, DC, 20307-5001, USA

    Patrick J. Devine

Authors
  1. Patrick J. Devine
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  2. Mark A. Turco
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  3. Allen J. Taylor
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick J. Devine.

Additional information

The opinions or assertions herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

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Devine, P.J., Turco, M.A. & Taylor, A.J. Design and Rationale of the ARBITER 6 Trial (Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol)-6-HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies in Atherosclerosis (HALTS). Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 21, 221–225 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-007-6020-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-007-6020-8

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