example individuals who are at risk of developing hypercholesterolemia can also be patients in need of treatment for hypercholesterolemia a clinician skilled in the art can readily identify by the use of clinical tests physical examination and medical family history those patients who are suffering from hypercholesterolemia and those who are at risk of developing hypercholesterolemia and thus readily determine if an individual is a patient in need of treatment for hypercholesterolemia an effective hypocholesterolemic amount of a compound of formula i is an amount which is effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels or ldl cholesterol levels in a patient in need thereof as such successful treatment of a patient for hypercholesterolemia is understood to include reducing a patient 39 s serum cholesterol or ldl cholesterol levels successful treatment for hypercholesterolemia is also understood to include prophylaxis in preventing clinically significant elevations in serum cholesterol or in ldl cholesterol levels in a patient who is at risk of the development of hypercholesterolemia atherosclerosis is a disease state characterized by the development and growth of atherosclerotic lesions or plaque the identification of those patients who are in need of treatment for atherosclerosis is well within the ability and knowledge of one skilled in the art for example individuals who.