A video from JAMA featuring Steve Nissen, one of the authors of the STRADIVARIUS trial.

This trial was designed to show that Rimonabant ( a drug used for weight loss in several countries but not US) could reduce plaque build up in the arteries which is a surrogate risk marker for developing heart attack and stroke.

This study used two methods to measure the amount of plaque in the arteries. The main method (called percent atheroma volume) to measure plaque thickness did not show any benefit. However, the second method (called normalized total atheroma volume) did show some benefit. The clinical benefit of this medication therefore will need to determined by additional studies before it gets FDA approval.

Reference: JAMA