CARS (Coronary Artery Regression Study)

18 Mar, 14

Effect of pravastatin (10 mg/day) on progression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with serum cholesterol levels from 160 to 220 mg/dl and angiographically documented coronary artery disease.

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of pravastatin on progression of coronary atherosclerosis in normocholesterolaemic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Design

Randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Patients

90 patients with CAD and serum cholesterol levels of 160 to 220 mg/dl.

Follow-up

2 years

Treatment Regimen

Pravastatin 10 mg/day (n=39) vs placebo (n=41).

Results

Percent changes in lipids were significantly greater in the pravastatin group than in the control group (total cholesterol – 11-12% vs 3-15%; LDL -18-16% vs 4-21%).
The proportion of patients with progression of coronary atherosclerosis was significantly smaller in the pravastatin group than in the control group (21% vs 49%).
The proportion of patients with disease regression did not differ in the two groups (3% vs 2%).

Conclusion

Cholesterol lowering with pravastatin can prevent the progression of coronary atherosclerosis even in normocholesterolaemic patients with CAD.

Am J Cardiol 1997;79:893-6