The progression of atherosclerosis can be stopped, or even reversed, with a more aggressive lipid-lowering strategy than that recommended by current US treatment guidelines, according to results from a study presented at the 76th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA) [Orlando, US; November 2003]. The REVERSAL study, the first head to head comparison of two statins, showed that intensive treatment with high-dose atorvastatin [Lipitor] prevented further buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In contrast, less intensive therapy with pravastatin did not halt plaque progression, despite producing a significant reduction from baseline in LDL-cholesterol levels."These results clearly show that aggressively lowering cholesterol levels with atorvastatin calcium stopped the progression of atherosclerosis,"said the principal investigator, Dr Steven Nissen from the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Coordinating Center, Cleveland, US."This study further demonstrates the benefits of aggressively managing cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis".