Effect of serum lipid concentrations on restenosis after successful de novo percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with total cholesterol 160 to 240 mg/dl and triglycerides <350 mg/dl

The present study is the first to demonstrate a possible role of triglycerides and HDL cholesterol in the multifactorial process of restenosis using validated computerized quantitative angiographic analysis in a group of patients with normal or only mildly elevated total and LDL cholesterol. The results of this study require validation by a prospective study in unselected consecutive patients undergoing PTCA. If these results are confirmed, a prospective randomized trial would then be appropriate to test strategies to lower the total/HDL cholesterol ratio, possibly using combination therapy targeting triglycerides and HDL cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol.