LIPOPROTEIN(A) IN PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE DISEASE

Recent studies have shown high levels of lipoprotein (a), - Lp(a) -, a n atherogenic and thrombogenic lipoprotein, are considered a risk fact or for coronary heart disease. This study evaluated Lp(a) levels, as w ell as other lipid factors, in a group of 45 patients affected by stag e II peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). An age-, sex- and B ody Mass Index-matched group of healthy controls was also recruited. E xclusion criteria were diseases or drugs which could alter Lp(a) level s. Alterations in lipid profiles, which are often associated with PAOD , were observed in the patients. Lp(a) levels did not differ significa ntly in the two groups (median 16.4 mg/dl, range 10-104, in PAOD and 9 .9 mg/dl, range 7.4-66.7, in controls and means 21.7 +/- 17.5 mg/dl an d 21.2 +/- 16.8 mg/dl respectively) but in 51% of the controls Lp(a) l evels were < 10 mg/dl compared with 20% of the PAOD patients (p < 0.05 ).