[Is regression of coronary sclerosis possible?]

Randomized studies with sequential coronary arteriographies have clearly documented that aggressive lipid-lowering therapy and change in life style can reduce progression and produce a modest regression of coronary artery lesions. The changes in the extent of a stenosis are determined by the level of cholesterol and LDL cholesterol achieved during treatment. Three of the randomized studies have shown that the lipid-lowering intervention has not only a beneficial influence on the coronary arteriographic lesions, but the number of clinical events is reduced as well. The calcium blockers nifedipine and nicardipine do not influence progression and regression but reduce the de novo appearance of coronary stenoses, either expressed as number of lesions per patient or as percentage of patients with new stenoses.