Familial Atherosclerosis Treatment Study

Summary

To compare the effects of two intensive lipid-lowering regimens with conventional therapy on coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by arteriography.

Conditions

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Coronary Arteriosclerosis
• Coronary Disease
• Heart Diseases
• Myocardial Ischemia

Interventions

DRUG

lovastatin

Lovastatin was begun at a dose of 20 mg twice a day (in the morning and at bedtime). If the LDL cholesterol level did not fall below 3.1 mmol per liter after three months, the dose of lovastatin was increased to 40 mg twice a day.

DRUG

colestipol

Colestipol was begun at a dose of 5 g three times a day with meals and increased to 10 g three times a day after 10 days, unless side effects delayed the increase. Psyllium hydrophic mucilloid (Metamucil) was provided if dietary bran was insufficient to control constipation.

DRUG

niacin

Niacin was started at 125 mg twice a day and gradually increased to 500 mg four times a day (with meals and at bedtime) at one month and 1 g four times a day at two months. If the LDL cholesterol level did not fall below 3.1 mmol per liter (120 mg per deciliter) after three months, the dose of niacin was increased to 1.5 g (three tablets) four times a day, but no further.

OTHER

Placebo for colestipol

Placebo for colestipol.

OTHER

Placebo for lovastatin

Placebo for lovastatin

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Washington

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• B. Greg Brown, M.D., Ph.D · University of Washington

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

62 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

1984-01-31

Primary Completion

1989-08-31

Completion

1989-08-31