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Atherosclerotic Regression—A Myth or Reality

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Frontiers in Cardiovascular Health

Part of the book series: Progress in Experimental Cardiology ((PREC,volume 9))

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Summary

The results of various trials aided by newer modalities to study the atherosclerotic process provide ample evidence that it is not only possible to halt the relentless process of atherosclerosis but also to induce regression. Thus regression of atherosclerotic process is no longer a myth but a well-accepted reality, even though its extent is not very large. This reality has been elegantly articulated by William Roberts “If the serum cholesterol can be prevented from rising above 150mg/dl, plaques are not laid down, if elevated levels are lowered to 150mg/dl, further plaques do not form and part of those present may vanish”. The process can be modified favorably not only in case of chronic, but also in case of acute atherosclerosis. Besides statins and ACE inhibitors, multitudes of novel therapies are being tested and hold promise in future. Even though the success achieved in inducing regression of atherosclerotic lesions has been modest, it is a step in the right direction. No doubt further exciting research and prospects lie ahead in this field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Govt. Medical College, Amritsar 2121-C, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar, 143001, India

    Dr. Adarsh Kumar MD, DM. (Professor and Head), Harharpreet Kaur, Pushpa Devi & Varun Mohan

Authors
  1. Dr. Adarsh Kumar MD, DM.
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  2. Harharpreet Kaur
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  3. Pushpa Devi
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  4. Varun Mohan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adarsh Kumar MD, DM. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences St. Boniface General Hospital Research Centre Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

    Naranjan S. Dhalla PhD, MD (Hon), DSc (Hon) (Distinguished Professor and Director), H. Ivan Berkowitz MBA (Consultant) & Pawan K. Singal PhD, DSc (Professor) (Distinguished Professor and Director),  (Consultant) &  (Professor)

  2. Institute of Circulatory & Respiratory Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Vancouver, Canada

    Arun Chockalingam PhD (Assistant Director) (Assistant Director)

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Kumar, A., Kaur, H., Devi, P., Mohan, V. (2003). Atherosclerotic Regression—A Myth or Reality. In: Dhalla, N.S., Chockalingam, A., Berkowitz, H.I., Singal, P.K. (eds) Frontiers in Cardiovascular Health. Progress in Experimental Cardiology, vol 9. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0455-9_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0455-9_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5085-9

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