Extending the benefit ef lipid-reguulating therapy to primary prevention

In recent years, a number of published secondary prevention trials have further strengthened the rationale for aggressive lipid-regulating therapy in patients with established coronary artery disease. However, the role of lipid-regulating therapy in primary prevention is less well characterized. Several large primary prevention trials, using a variety of interventions, are ongoing in different populations. These include the Air Force CoronaryJTexas Atherosclerosis Prevention Study, the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study, the Women's Health Initiative, and the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial. These investigations will extend the results of earlier primary prevention trials and further characterize the rationale for intervention.