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The article presents information on 25th Annual Meeting of the Society for Clinical Trials. The meeting will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, during May 23-25, 2005. This article also contains information about pre-conference workshops. Ultimately, the successful outcome of good clinical research depends on a solid understanding of basic concepts. The pre-conference workshop will be structured for those desiring an overview of some of the basic, essential issues in clinical trials. The workshop will be especially useful to clinic coordinators, clinical research associates, and project managers who are new to clinical trials or who have received little or no formal training in trial design, conduct, and analysis.

Purpose of Review: This review focuses on lipoprotein abnormalities in South Asians (SA) and addresses risk stratification and management strategies to lower atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in this high-risk population. Recent Findings: South Asians (SAs) are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States (U.S) and have an increased risk of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). While the etiology may be multifactorial, lipoprotein abnormalities play a key role. SAs have lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared with Whites and at any given LDL-C level, SA ethnicity poses a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with other non-Asian groups. SAs have lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with smaller particle sizes of HDL-C compared with Whites. SAs also have higher triglycerides than Whites which is strongly related to the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in SAs. Lipoprotein a (Lp(a)) levels are also higher in SAs compared with many other ethnic groups. This unique lipoprotein profile plays a vital role in the elevated ASCVD risk in SAs. Studies evaluating dietary patterns of SAs in the U.S show high consumption of carbohydrates and saturated fats. Summary: SAs have a high-risk lipoprotein profile compared with other ethnicities. Lipid abnormalities play a central role in the pathogenesis of CAD in SAs. More studies are needed to understand the true impact of the various lipoproteins and their contribution to increasing ASCVD in SAs. Aggressive lowering of LDL-C in high-risk groups using medications, such as statins, and lifestyle modification including dietary changes is essential in overall CAD risk reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]