The effect of intensive lipid lowering on coronary atheroma and clinical outcome

The association between raised plasma cholesterol and cardiovascular risk is well established, with consistent evidence associating LDL-cholesterol reduction with a reduction in primary and secondary cardiovascular events. It is believed that intensive lipid lowering may improve clinical outcomes further by acting to stabilise plaque and preventing plaque progression, ultimately reducing plaque vulnerability. However, it remains uncertain whether a continued clinical benefit occurs with intensive lipid lowering or if there is a threshold level below which no further benefit occurs.