LACK OF CORRELATION BETWEEN THE SERUM LEVEL OF LIPOPROTEIN(A) AND RESTENOSIS AFTER CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Background: Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a major problem that remains unsolved. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and vein graft occlusion after bypass surgery and may be associated with restenosis. Methods: We analyzed the serum Lp(a) level in 142 patients undergoing 146 PTCA procedures. Follow-up coronary angiography was done after 6.0 +/- 4.3 months. Results: The restenosis rate was 35%. The clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar with and without restenosis, except for treatment with aspirin and a residual stenosis of 25% to 49% immediately after PTCA being more common in the restenosis group (P < 0.05). The serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein were also similar in the two groups. We did not find any difference between the Lp(a) levels in patients with and without restenosis (0.27 +/- 0.28 vs 0.38 +/- 0.50 U/mL, P > 0.05). Conclusions: Lp(a) level does not seem to be a predictor of restenosis after PTCA.