title: Plaque burden, microstructures and compositions underachieving very low LDL-C levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the impact of lowering LDL-C on plaque progression, microstructures and compositions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major therapeutic target to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Intravascular imaging has elucidated antiatherosclerotic effects of lowering LDL-C in vivo. Intensive control of LDL-C with a statin has been shown to slow plaque progression and induce its regression if very low LDL-C level is achieved. This therapeutic approach has been also demonstrated to modulate plaque microstructures and compositions. These mechanistic insights on intravascular imaging support the benefit of lowering LDL-C in achieving better cardiovascular outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lowering LDL-C level has become the first-line therapy in the primary and secondary prevention settings. The effects of lowering LDL-C on plaque progression, microstructures and compositions will be reviewed in this article.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine National Cerebral & Cardiovascular Centre, Suita, Japan bHeart Health, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia cQuebec Heart & Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puri
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Psaltis
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nicholls
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors