PLASMA APOLIPOPROTEIN-A-I AND APOLIPOPROTEIN-B IN SURVIVORS OF MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION AND IN A CONTROL-GROUP

The values of apolipoproteins (ape) A-I and B were determined in a pop ulation sample of hospital outpatients with a standardized method to v erify if the cutpoints calculated in a cross-sectional study in the US are usable with other populations. We also tested the apolipoproteins ' ability to discriminate between healthy people and survivors of myoc ardial infarction. In the studied population the apo A-I value corresp onding to the HDL-cholesterol decisional centile is 1.12 g/L for males and 1.17 g/L for females; the apo B value corresponding to the LDL-ch olesterol decisional centile is 1.23 g/L for males and 1.14 g/L for fe males. These values are quite close to the cutpoints proposed for the American population (1.20 g/L for both apolipoproteins). In comparison with the LDL- and HDL-cholesterol decisional concentrations, the cutp oints for apolipoproteins allow a correct classification of a greater percentage of postmyocardial infarction patients (16% higher for apo B and 5% for apo A-I). Standardized assays coupled with a reference dat abase allow a better clinical use of apolipoprotein measurements.