Cardiovascular computed tomographic assessment of the effect of combination lipoprotein therapy on coronary arterial plaque: rationale and design of the AFRICA (Atorvastatin plus Fenofibric acid in the Reduction of Intermediate Coronary Atherosclerosis) study.

Whether combination lipoprotein therapy targeting apolipoprotein B (apoB)- and apoA-containing lipoprotein particles and triglycerides (TGs) in low-risk, asymptomatic subjects with coronary atherosclerosis alters the natural progression of plaques is unknown. This study was designed to compare the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic, low-risk subjects without previously known coronary artery disease but with the presence of plaque on a combination of atorvastatin 40 mg plus fenofibric acid 135 mg daily for 18 months, using cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT). This is an investigator-initiated, single-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study.