"4) Is the higher efficacy at low LDL in circulation indicative of higher levels of oxidized LDL at vascular bed (oxidized LDL is known to adhere to vascular bed), providing a seed for atherosclerotic plagues, which is know to be associated with enhanced immune response/ inflammation that the drug is reportedly corrects?"
Kipk,
I think your #4 is in line with my hunch about small dense LDL. Not all LDLs are created equal. Folks with pattern B have increased levels of small, dense LDL that are known to be more atherogenic (and more susceptible to oxidation). Could be that folks in the BETonMACE below median LDL-C group are enriched in pattern B LDL profile. Even though their total LDL-C may be below median, they have more total LDL particles and these particles may be more atherogenic.
BDAZ