Inger Nj?lstad, MD, PhD

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Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and carotid atherosclerosis

Stein Harald Johnsen, MD;Ellisiv B. Mathiesen, MD, PhD;Einar Fosse, MD;Oddmund Joakimsen, MD, PhD;Eva Stensland-Bugge, MD, PhD;Inger Nj?lstad, MD, PhD;Egil Arnesen, MD

September 19th 2008

We assessed the relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level and carotid plaque progression in 1952 men and women with preexisting carotid atherosclerosis over a period of 7 years. The HDL cholesterol level was inversely related to plaque growth. The plaques that became more echogenic during follow-up had a lower growth rate compared with those that became more echolucent. These findings suggest that HDL cholesterol stabilizes plaques and counteracts their growth by reducing their lipid content and inflammation.