Author in the Room: Effect of Lower Targets for Blood Pressure and LDL Cholesterol on Atherosclerosis in Diabetes: The SANDS Randomized Trial

Summary: Reducing LDL-C and SBP to lower targets resulted in regression of carotid atherosclerosis and decrease in LV mass in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Clinical event rate was low in both groups and did not differ. Longer term follow-up will be necessary to determine whether the aggressive targets result in favorable risks/benefits. More emphasis should be placed on reaching conventional targets for both LDL-C and SBP in diabetic patients. More trials are needed that evaluate targets for lipids and BP rather than specific treatment regimens.