High-Density Lipoprotein and Progression Rate of Atherosclerosis in Intravascular Ultrasound Trials

Increasing interest has focused on the potential clinical utility of therapies that promote the biologic activity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Arterial wall imaging has been used in clinical trials to demonstrate that elevating HDL cholesterol has a beneficial impact on the natural history of the progression of atherosclerosis. As a result, it is likely that atherosclerosis imaging will become an integral component of early clinical development of novel therapies that enhance the functionality of HDL.