The colossal failure cast a pall over the good cholesterol field and raised questions over whether doctors understand how good cholesterol works.

FORBES: Merck Drug Could Eliminate The Stent Business

The company's failure could also have cast doubt on the financial positions of some of Bear Stearns' thousands of counter-parties.

FORBES: Bottom? What Bottom?

The company's failure could also have cast doubt on the financial conditions of some of Bear Stearns' many counterparties or of companies with similar businesses and funding practices, impairing the ability of those firms to meet their funding needs or to carry out normal transactions.

FORBES: Reducing Systemic Risk

Independent auditor Deloitte warned that a failure to secure new banking facilities "would cast doubt on its ability to continue".

BBC: Firm committed to Sheffield Park Hill flats despite debt

Tenet 4: The cast of characters that have a vested interest in the success or failure of financial products that are offered to the public is far broader than you think.

FORBES: Pension Consultant Conflicts of Interests (April 1, 2002 )