The atherogenicity of postprandial lipoproteins, particularly remnants of triglyceride-rich particles, was suggested by in vitro studies of foam cell induction, feeding experiments in animals, and observations of Type III hyperlipoproteinemia in humans. Indirect evidence for the hypothesis arose from research on conditions characterized by high fasting triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol, denser LDL particles, and elevations of apolipoprotein B or intermediate-density lipoproteins. The hypothesis received direct support from two small studies by Krauss in 1987 and Simons in 1987 which showed higher postprandial chylomicron remnant concentrations in coronary patients than controls. However, neither study had the statistical power to evaluate the relative associations of fasting and postprandial measurements with disease. Such an evaluation, because of close correlations between fasting and postprandial lipoproteins, required studies with large sample sizes.