ASSOCIATION OF LIPOPROTEIN (A) WITH THE S EVERITY OF CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN MEN AND WOMEN UNDERGOING CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS-SURGERY

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels are genetically determined and levels hi gher than 25 mg/dl are associated with increased prevalence of coronar y artery disease (CAD). We studied gender differences in 76 men and 20 women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for a po tential association between Lp(a) levels both in serum and the aortic wall (Apo(a)) and the severity of CAD determined by an atherosclerosis score (CS) using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). Serum Lp(a) and tissue Apo(a) do not correlate with the severity of CAD as assess ed from QCA (r = 0.09 and r = 0.14, resp.). 60 % of women but only 39 % of men had serum Lp(a) levels higher than 25 mg/dl. Women were 8 yea rs older (65 +/- 8 vs. 57 +/- 8 years, p < 0.001) and had 1.5 times hi gher mean serum Lp(a) and 1.75 times higher mean tissue Apo(a) levels (47 +/- 41 vs. 32 +/- 40 mg/dl and 33 +/- 34 vs. 19 +/- 24 mu g/g WW, p < 0.05) than men with identical CS (35 +/- 8 vs. 33 +/- 8, p = NS). The serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipop rotein were similar in the two groups. There is no association between Lp(a) and Apo(a) and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in men and women undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.