PROGNOSTIC IMPORTANCE OF PLASMA LIPOPROTEIN-ANALYSES IN PATIENTS WITHUNSTABLE CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE

The lipoprotein (Lp) pattern was analysed in patients with suspected u nstable coronary artery disease (UCAD), to compare the pattern as a pr ognostic instrument regarding subsequent coronary events with smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and with the result of an early exerc ise test. Included were 295 patients with UCAD. Blood samples for Lp v alues were obtained in the acute phase and after one year. Apolipoprot ein-A1, Apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B), Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) HDL-Cholester ol, Cholesterol (Chol) and Triglycerides (TG) were estimated in serum. During the 1-year follow-up coronary events (myocardial infarction, c ardiac death, coronary artery by-pass surgery) occurred in 48 patients . The severity of CAD, overweight, smoking and beta-blockade influence d the Lp-pattern. Chol-, TG- and Apo-B-levels were highest in the grou p with a coronary event. Apo-B turned out to be the second best predic tive variable in multiple regression analysis, in men. In women no suc h analysis was done because of very few coronary events during follow- up. Nevertheless, the exercise test variables, ST depression and pain were more predictive of coronary events than Apo-B in men.