Harvard Atherosclerosis Reversibility Project (HARP)

Summary

To determine by sequential coronary arteriography whether a lipid-lowering diet with and without lipid-lowering drugs could reverse coronary artery disease in normocholesterolemic patients. Also, to test whether fish oil supplements could improve human coronary atherosclerosis. Finally, to determine the effect of combination therapy with lipid-reducing drugs in patients with coronary heart disease and "normal" cholesterol levels. At least three clinical trials were conducted.

Timeline

Start

1986-12

Primary completion

—

Completion

1992-11

Publications

• Background Sacks FM, Pasternak RC, Gibson CM, Rosner B, Stone PH. Effect on coronary atherosclerosis of decrease in plasma cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolaemic patients. Harvard Atherosclerosis Reversibility Project (HARP) Group. Lancet. 1994 Oct 29;344(8931):1182-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)90506-1.
• Background Sacks FM, Stone PH, Gibson CM, Silverman DI, Rosner B, Pasternak RC. Controlled trial of fish oil for regression of human coronary atherosclerosis. HARP Research Group. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1995 Jun;25(7):1492-8. doi: 10.1016/0735-1097(95)00095-l.
• Background Sacks FM, Gibson CM, Rosner B, Pasternak RC, Stone PH. The influence of pretreatment low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations on the effect of hypocholesterolemic therapy on coronary atherosclerosis in angiographic trials. Harvard Atherosclerosis Reversibility Project Research Group. Am J Cardiol. 1995 Sep 28;76(9):78C-85C. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(99)80475-5.
• Background Pasternak RC, Brown LE, Stone PH, Silverman DI, Gibson CM, Sacks FM. Effect of combination therapy with lipid-reducing drugs in patients with coronary heart disease and "normal" cholesterol levels. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Harvard Atherosclerosis Reversibility Project (HARP) Study Group. Ann Intern Med. 1996 Oct 1;125(7):529-40. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-125-7-199610010-00001.

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Indications