2022, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part D

Background: The prevalence of CAD has progressively increased in India during latter half of the last century particularly among the urban population. The present study assessed regression of coronary artery disease as a result of intensive lipid-lowering therapy in men.

Materials and Methods: 60 males with coronary artery disease and elevated apolipoprotein B level were classified according to triglyceride level: 73 with less than 2.3 mmol per liter [200 mg per deciliter], and 59 with more than 2.3 mmol per liter) into 3 groups. Group I was treatment with niacin and colestipol, group II treatment with lovastatin and colestipol, and group III with conventional therapy. Patients in group I received Colestipol 10 g three times a day after 10 days and niacin 500 mg four times a day for one month. In group II, 20 mg Lovastatin twice a day was given and Colestipol as given above and in group III, patients received placebos for colestipol and for lovastatin, given as described above.

Results: Age group 20-40 years had 8 in group I, 9 in group II and 10 in group III and 40-60 years had 12 in group I, 11 in group II and 10 in group III. The mean percentage change in stenosis in group I was 2.0, in group II was -0.8 and in group III was -0.9. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Patients with coronary artery disease who were at high risk for cardiovascular events, intensive lipid-lowering therapy reduced the frequency of progression of coronary lesions, increased the frequency of regression, and reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events.