The Post CABG investigators set out to determine whether aggressive LDL lowering would be more effective than moderate therapy in delaying the progression of graft atherosclerosis. The mean age of the predominantly male patients was 61.5 years. Patients, all of whom were on a cholesterol-lowering diet, were randomly assigned to an aggressive LDL lowering strategy of 40 to 80 mg of lovastatin or a moderate strategy of 2.5 to 5 mg. Cholestyramine was added if patients in either group did not come close enough to the target LDL level. Baseline and follow-up angiograms taken 4 to 5 years after enrollment in the study were used to determine atherosclerotic changes in the grafts.
Angiograms are X-ray pictures of arteries which display blood flow problems and blockages.
The investigators found no significant difference in graft obstruction between patients taking warfarin and a warfarin placebo.