Regression and Progression of Early Femoral Atherosclerosis in Treated Hyperlipoproteinemic Patients

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Abstract
Femoral angiograms were done to evaluate change in early atherosclerosis in 12 patients with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia and 13 with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. The patients'' average age was 48 yr; only 1 had claudication. Elevated blood lipids and blood pressure were treated with drugs and diet. Repeat angiograms after an interval of 13 mo. showed regression of atheroclerosis in 9 patients, no change in 3, and progression in 13. Comparison of preangiogram levels with average levels between angiograms showed significant reduction in serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure in the group with lesion improvement but not in the group with lesion progression. Sporadic examples of human atherosclerosis regression are known, but most other studies in man indicate only atherosclerosis progression. The different results appear due to selection of patients and radiographic method. Patients with earlier atherosclerosis were studied using a radiographic procedure more sensitive to small changes in lesions.

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