LIPOPROTEIN(A) IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS

The serum level of lipoprotein (a) (LP(a)) was measured in 117 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) angiographically documented, 22 patients with unaltered coronary arteries as evidenced by coronary angiography (Control Group 1), and 28 subjects without clinical CHD signs (Control Group 2). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoproteins (apo) AI and B were measured in the patients and healthy subjects. They were found to be higher in CHD patients than in patients with unaltered arteries and healthy subjects. The level of LP(a) was significantly increased in patients with three-vessel disease as compared to the control groups and patients with single-vessel disease. There was no relation of LP(a) to total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apo-AI, apo-B, age, and sex. The findings supports the assumption that LP(a) is associated with coronary atherosclerosis.