Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Evaluation of the Effects of Niaspan on Regression of Atherosclerosis and Restoration of Endothelial Function
Brief Summary: AIM 1 will test the hypothesis that elevation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) through treatment with Niaspan will accelerate the regression of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with established atherosclerosis. The investigators will therefore study patients with atherosclerosis in the aorta and carotid artery. Plaque quantification will be with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

AIM 2 will assess the ability of Niaspan to improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease and type II diabetes mellitus, who typically have low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high risk of cardiovascular events.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Aim 1: Carotid or peripheral arterial disease and HDL \<1mmol/L
* Aim 2: Coronary artery disease, type II diabetes and HDL \<1mmol/L

Exclusion Criteria:

The following will constitute exclusion criteria:

* Inability to provide informed consent,
* Known intolerance of a study drug,
* Use of niacin or a fibrate at time of screening,
* AST or ALT elevated above normal range at time of screening
* Use of oral nitrates or nicorandil
* Uncontrolled or newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus
* Symptomatic heart failure or heart failure requiring treatment with diuretics
* Fasting triglycerides \> 500mg/dL \[5.65mmol/L\]
* Patients with acute coronary syndromes, active peptic ulcer disease,
* Active gout,
* Standard exclusions for MRI will apply, i.e. pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, metal implants or embedded metallic fragments of any kind.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 years or greater
2. Willing and able to give informed consent. The patients must be able to comply with study procedures and follow-up.
3. Undergoing clinically-indicated coronary and SVG angiography
4. Have an intermediate SVG lesion (defined as a lesion 30-60% angiographic diameter stenosis) without previous percutaneous intervention, amenable to examination with IVUS. The lesion should have no thrombus or ulceration and should not be considered responsible for the patient's clinical presentation and referral for graft angiography.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Known allergy to niacin
2. History of statin-induced myopathy
3. Positive pregnancy test or breast-feeding
4. Coexisting conditions that limit life expectancy to less than 12 months or that could affect a patient's compliance with the protocol
5. Uncontrolled fasting triglyceride levels ( 500 mg/dL)
6. Fasting LDL-C \>200 mg/dL
7. Fasting HDL-C \>60 mg/dL
8. Poorly controlled diabetes (glycosylated hemoglobin levels 10%)
9. Current active liver disease or hepatic dysfunction
10. AST or ALT \> 2x the upper limit of normal
11. Uncontrolled hypothyroidism (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone \>1.5 x upper limit of normal \[ULN\])
12. Unexplained creatine kinase elevations (\>3 x ULN)
13. Recent history of acute gout
14. Serum creatinine \> 2.5 mg/dL
15. HIV (due to potential anti-retroviral drug-interactions with niacin)
16. Use of high-dose, antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C, E, or beta-carotene) that may interfere with the HDL-raising effect of niacin
17. Severe peripheral arterial disease limiting vascular access
18. Referral for cardiac catheterization by a physician who is an investigator in the present study.
19. Symptoms consistent with moderate or greater severity of congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association - NYHA class III or IV) or whose most recent determination of left ventricular ejection fraction is \<25%
20. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as either a resting diastolic blood pressure of ≥100 mmHg or a resting systolic blood pressure of ≥200 mmHg
21. History of allergic reaction to iodine-based contrast agents
22. Significant medical or psychological condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may compromise the patient's safety or successful participation in the study
C: INCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Men \& women at least 40 years of age or older. Women must not be pregnant nor breast-feeding \& not planning to become pregnant or to breast-feed.
* History of IC of the lower extremities which has been present for at least 6 months with no change in symptoms in the previous 3 months prior to screening.
* LDL-C of \< 160 mg/dL and Triglycerides \< 800mg/dL.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Severe neuropathy
* Gross obesity (BMI ≥ 40)
* Presence of critical limb ischemia defined as ischemic rest pain, gangrene, ulceration, or pending amputation of a lower extremity due to severe PAD.
* Surgical intervention to alleviate symptoms of claudication within 6 months or endovascular interventions within 3 months
* Documented CAD taking any cholesterol-modifying agent
* Systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg \&/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 95 mmHg
* Presence of clinically significant laboratory test abnormalities for liver or renal function tests or HgbA1C.
* History of alcohol abuse or currently drinks alcohol in excess.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients 18 to 85 years of age with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed hyperlipidemia
* LDL-C between 130 and 190 mg/L (Category I) and 130 and 160 mg/L (Category II) and triglycerides \</= 350 mg/dL.

Exclusion Criteria:

* A condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, might pose a risk to the patient or interfere with participating in the study
* Patients with \<80% compliance
* Patients with certain medical conditions
* Patients taking certain concomitant medications and/or with unstable doses of medications
* Or those with a history of CHD/CHD equivalent or diabetes

Answer: A