LIPOPROTEIN(A) AND GENERAL RISK-FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH ANGIOGRAPHICALLY ASSESSED PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL-DISEASE

High Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been observed in patients with ischemi c heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Lp(a) is actually thought to be an independent risk factor for coronary disease. We therefore c arried out a case-control study, evaluating plasma Lp(a) in 61 patient s with angiographically documented peripheral arterial disease (PAD) a nd in 61 age- and sex-matched patients with no cardiovascular disease. General risk factors for Vascular disease were also taken into accoun t. Lp(a) was significantly higher in patients than controls (257.0+/-3 4.8 vs 146.5+/-23.5 mg/l, p<0.05), as were cigarette smoking, diabetes , cholesterolemia, fibrinogenemia and the waist-to-hip circumference r atio. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that, in addition t o cigarette smoking, diabetes, cholesterol and fibrinogen, Lp(a) is a significant independent risk indicator for PAD. This result suggests t hat high plasma Lp(a) is associated with enhanced risk of PAD and must therefore be evaluated alongside traditional risk factors.