ANTIBODIES AGAINST CARDIOLIPIN AND OXIDATIVELY MODIFIED LDL IN 50-YEAR-OLD MEN PREDICT MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Autoantibodies against oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins ( oxLDL) and cardiolipin occur in patients with vascular diseases, inclu ding atherosclerosis. The ability of such antibodies to predict myocar dial infarction (MI) was investigated in a prospective nested case-con trol study in which healthy 50-year-old men were followed up for 20 ye ars. Raised levels of antibodies against oxLDL and cardiolipin at 50 y ears of age correlated positively with the incidence of MI and mortali ty related to MI 10 to 20 years later. IgG and IgA antibodies against cardiolipin were associated with MI between 50 to 60 years of age and IgG and IgA antibodies against oxLDL with MI at 60 to 70 years of age. Moreover, higher antibody levels were noted in those who died from ac ute MI in comparison to those who survived. The predictive power of Ig A and IgG antibodies was strong and largely independent of that of oth er strong risk factors. In conclusion, raised levels of antibodies aga inst oxLDL and cardiolipin may predict MI and MI-related death.