International Digest

Lipid-lowering therapy for carotid atherosclerosis

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 155: 733

Source: Hodis HN, Mack WJ, LaBree L, Selzer RH, Liu C, Liu C, et al. Reduction in carotid arterial wall thickness using lovastatin and dietary therapy: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Ann Intern Med 1996; 124: 548-56.

Researchers in the United States randomly assigned 188 patients with coronary artery disease to receive, for up to 4 years, either lovastatin (80 mg/d) or a placebo while following a cholesterol-lowering diet. High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was performed at 6-month intervals to determine the progression of early, preintrusive carotid atherosclerosis. As early as 1 year after commencement of treatment the lovastatin group showed a consistent reduction from baseline in intima--media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery, whereas the placebo group showed a consistent increase at 2 and 4 years. Results were similar in smokers and nonsmokers and in men and women.

| CMAJ September 15, 1996 (vol 155, no 6) |