High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are inversely related to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). 1 Expert Panel on Detection Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in AdultsSummary of the second report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel II). JAMA. 1993; 269: 3015-3023 Crossref PubMed Scopus (2924) Google Scholar Recently, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with gemfibrozil in men with CHD in whom the primary lipid abnormality was a low HDL cholesterol level (the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Intervention Trial [VA-HIT]) suggested that even modest increases in HDL cholesterol and reductions in triglycerides could significantly reduce the risk of CHD. 2 Rubins H.B. Robins S.J. Collins D. Fye C.L. Anderson J.W. Elam M.B. Faas F.H. Linares E. Schaefer E.J. Schectman G. Wilt T.J. Wittes J. Veterans Affairs High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Intervention Trial Study GroupGemfibrozil for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in men with low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. N Engl J Med. 1999; 341: 410-418 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3206) Google Scholar In addition to lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (statins) raise the levels of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, the major protein constituent of HDL. However, a recent study showed that at higher doses, simvastatin increased HDL cholesterol and apo A-I significantly more than atorvastatin. 3 Crouse III, J.R. Frohlich J. Ose L. Mercuri M. Tobert J.A. Effects of high doses of simvastatin and atovastatin on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I. Am J Cardiol. 1999; 83: 1476-1477 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (133) Google Scholar To confirm these findings, a 36-week, multicenter, double-blind, dose titration study was performed to evaluate the effects of simvastatin (40 to 80 mg/day) and atorvastatin (20 to 40 mg/day) on HDL cholesterol and apo A-I levels at doses expected to provide similar large reductions in LDL cholesterol. This article reports the results of a predefined interim analysis performed after the first 12 weeks of the study. CorrectionAmerican Journal of CardiologyVol. 86Issue 7Preview Full-Text PDF