THE EFFECT OF SERUM-LIPID REGULATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEMORAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN HYPERLIPEMIA - A NONRANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-STUDY

Abstract. The development of femoral atheroma after 1 year of treatment with diet and nicotinic acid plus fenofibrate was studied in 45 asymptomatic, hyperlipidaemic, middle‐aged male subjects in a non‐randomized controlled study. The median serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol concentration and the low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration were lowered by 67% and 36%, respectively, in the treatment group. The median serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration was increased by 23%. Femoral atheroma was estimated by overall atherosclerosis score (OAS). Changes in femoral atherosclerosis were estimated by intrapair comparison of angiograms. Progression was found in 24% and 40% in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Regression occurred in 29% and 0%, respectively. The OAS decrease correlated with reductions in VLDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. 1990 Blackwell Publishing Ltd