Effect of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors on Coronary Artery Disease as Assessed by Electron-Beam Computed Tomography

Both primary prevention and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease are being widely investigated. 1 , 2 Preventive cardiology would benefit from the introduction of noninvasive techniques that accurately quantify the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. The studies conducted to date on the regression of coronary artery disease have used arteriographic techniques. 3 – 10 These methods are invasive and costly, and they require lengthy and elaborate analysis by expert investigators. Furthermore, long follow-up times are necessary to detect small changes in the minimal luminal diameter at the level of focal stenoses. However, small gains in luminal diameter have been shown to correspond to substantial . . .