Cholesterol subfractions

Certain laboratories offer a cholesterol panel that breaks down LDL different patterns (ie, pattern A, pattern B, pattern A/B) and HDL into HDL2 and HDL3 as well as other subfractions of VLDL and Lp(a).  These laboratories state that things like: LDL pattern B is more atherogenic than pattern A, HDL2 is more protective than HDL3, and that Lp(a) is particularly atherogenic, etc.  How strong is the evidence for these assertions?  

It seems like most cardilogists are managing to a total weight of LDL and/or HDL.  The above subfractions seem only to be looked at when on the fence regarding treatment.  Is this because the relevance of these subfractions are not well established?

Lastly, where can one find data on the affects of the various statin drugs on LDL patterns, HDL2, LDL particle numbers, and Lp(a)?

Thanks in advance

[Cleveland Clinic]

There is not a lot of clinical evidence stating that one kind of LDL is more dangerous than another, or one kind of HDL is more protective than another. From basic science studies performed in animals and from non randomized human data we know that some types of LDL are more dense and atherogenic than others. However, there is no data suggesting that if you convert one type to another the risk of atherosclerosis changes. Statins tend to decrease the density of LDL particles and change the ratio to a more favorable type, as does Niacin. Lipidologists, are in a way trying to figure out why statins have the benefits that they do, since only some of the benefit correlates to the LDL decreases.