The Cleveland Clinic study looked at four trials that followed 1,455 patients on statins. Using ultrasound, researchers focused on whether increasing levels of HDL--the good cholesterol--correlated to a change in the amount of plaque attached to artery walls. They found increases of 5% to 15% were enough to remove arterial plaque.

Dr. Joseph Pietrolungo, a cardiologist with NEOCS was asked to review the article that is to be published in March, 2007 of JAMA. Although not involved in the study, he said the results "will translate into improvement in clinical outcomes". Dr. Pietrolungo said it reinforces the importance of cholesterol management, though it also highlights the need for medications that more effectively increase HDL.