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 .
Effect of bezafibrate therapy on atherosclerotic aortic plaques detected by MRI in dyslipidemic patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Fibrates reduce triglycerides ( TG ) and increase HDL-cholesterol levels , but there was no report showing plaque regression by fibrates . Using MRI , we investigated the effects of bezafibrate on aortic plaques in 22 dyslipidemic patients . All patients were asked to receive 400 mg bezafibrate , but 8 who declined to have bezafibrate  became the control group . Changes in vessel wall area ( VWA ) and lumen area ( LA ) from baseline to 1-year were evaluated . Bezafibrate reduced TG ( -55 % ) and increased HDL-cholesterol levels ( + 29 % ) . Bezafibrate reduced HDL size and increased LDL size . In thoracic plaques , bezafibrate reduced VWA ( -6 % , P<0.001 ) with no LA change , but VWA slightly progressed without bezafibrate ( + 5 % ) . In abdominal plaques , bezafibrate reduced VWA ( -8 % , P<0.001 ) with LA increase ( + 3 % , P<0.02 ) , but VWA progressed without bezafibrate ( + 6 % ) . VWA changes in thoracic and abdominal plaques correlated with TG reduction and HDL-cholesterol increase . Notably , VWA change in only abdominal plaques correlated with HDL size reduction and LDL size increase . Thus , bezafibrate induced plaque regression in thoracic and abdominal aortas with marked TG reduction and HDL-cholesterol increase , but the processes of plaque regression and vascular remodeling may differ between thoracic and abdominal aortas . However , because our study was not a controlled , r and omized trial , further study is needed
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 .