Purpose: To evaluate the plasma concentration of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a) in subjects with normal or altered coronary angiography, as a risk factor of atherosclerosis in a Brazilian population.
Patients and method: Lp(a) plasma levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in 31 subjects with normal angiography and in 131 subjects with atherosclerosis. Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A, A1 and B were also determined as well as risk factors like systemic arterial hypertension, smoking habit, diabetes and physical activity.
Results: Subjects with coronary disease had Lp(a) plasma levels of 41.9 mg/dl, compared to 23.9 mg/dl found in the normal group. Coronary artery disease risk was increased 2.3 times in those with plasma Lp(a) levels equal or above 25 mg/dl, compared to those with levels below this boundary. As to other known risk factors, only smoking habit has shown correlation with coronary artery disease.
Conclusion: We confirmed the value of Lp(a) as a risk factor of coronary heart disease.