Conclusions Study -level data from this systemic review establish that different lipid lowering agents can lead to discordance between LDL-P and LDL-C , therefore , basing LDL-lowering therapy only on the achievement of cholesterol goals may result in a treatment gap .
Therefore , the use of LDL-P for monitoring lipid-lowering therapy , particularly for statins , can provide a more accurate assessment of residual cardiovascular risk
Purpose This systematic review was performed to summarize published experience using low density lipoprotein particle number ( LDL-P ) to monitor the efficacy of  lipid-lowering pharmacotherapies .
PREVENTION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS WITH LDL-C LOWERING - LIPOPROTEIN CHANGES AND INTERACTIONS: THE SANDS STUDY.
BACKGROUND : Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) with statins reduces atherosclerosis . LDL and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) are commonly measured by their cholesterol content , but non-HDL cholesterol , LDL particle number ( LDL-P ) , or total apolipoprotein B ( apoB ) may better predict cardiovascular risk . Few studies have examined relations among lipoprotein levels and composition before and after interventions to lower LDL-C and non-HDL-C. OBJECTIVE : To measure changes in carotid artery intimal media thickness ( CIMT ) and lipid concentration and composition during 36 months of statin therapy . METHODS : Analyses were conducted on 418 diabetic individuals , with complete data and no prior cardiovascular events , who were r and omized to aggressive ( AG ) versus st and ard ( STD ) treatment for LDL-C , non-HDL-C , and systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) as part of the Stop Atherosclerosis in Native Diabetics Study ( S AND S ) . RESULTS : The AG group achieved average LDL-C and non-HDL-C of 71mg/dL and 100mg/dL and a decrease in CIMT . No significant interactions were observed between treatment effect and initial levels of LDL-C , non-HDL-C , HDL-C , triglycerides , apoB , or LDL-P. Decreases in LDL-C ( p<.005 ) and non-HDL-C ( p<.001 ) were independently correlated with CIMT regression in the AG group . Changes in apoB and LDL-P showed borderline correlations with CIMT regression ( p=.07 and p=.09 ) . CONCLUSIONS : In diabetic adults with no prior cardiovascular events , treatment to current targets for lipids and SBP reduces atherosclerosis progression and when more aggressive targets are met , atherosclerosis regresses . The aggressive targets for LDL-C and non-HDL-C appeared to be the main determinants of CIMT regression and were more predictive of this outcome than changes in LDL-P or
Conclusions Study -level data from this systemic review establish that different lipid lowering agents can lead to discordance between LDL-P and LDL-C , therefore , basing LDL-lowering therapy only on the achievement of cholesterol goals may result in a treatment gap .
Therefore , the use of LDL-P for monitoring lipid-lowering therapy , particularly for statins , can provide a more accurate assessment of residual cardiovascular risk
Purpose This systematic review was performed to summarize published experience using low density lipoprotein particle number ( LDL-P ) to monitor the efficacy of  lipid-lowering pharmacotherapies .