Is cholesterol lowering an alternative to revascularization in some patients with coronary artery disease?

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Abstract
Cholesterol lowering has been shown to decrease the dimensions of atherosclerotic plaques in some patients with coronary artery disease. Because of this observation, there is growing discussion about whether or not cholesterol lowering might be used in place of revascularization. The available data suggest that cholesterol lowering in place of revascularization may be appropriate for patients with chronic stable angina, for patients who are asymptomatic but have provocable ischemia after myocardial infarction, and for patients at moderate risk for cardiac events as judged by exercise test or clinical variables. The available data do not justify changing current practices; further study is necessary.