LIPID RISK-FACTORS FOR ATHEROSCLEROTIC CAROTID-ARTERY DISEASE IN PATIENTS ON CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS

We investigated the relationship between abnormalities of lipid metabo lism and carotid atherosclerosis in 20 patients on continuous ambulato ry peritoneal dialysis (11 men and nine women). Carotid ultrasonograph y was used to determine the combined thickness of the intima and media (I-M thickness). The ape A-I/apo B ratio showed a significant negativ e correlation with I-M thickness (P<0.05). In the patients with caroti d plaque, the triglycerides (TG) level and the remnant-like particle c holesterol level (RLP-C) were significantly higher than in the patient s without plaque (P<0.05), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) choleste rol and the ape AI/apo B ratio were significantly lower than in the pa tients without plaque (P<0.05). Moreover, there was a strong relations hip between the severity of plaque and TG, the apo AI/apo B ratio, and RLP-C. Thus, abnormal lipid metabolism may contribute to progressive atherosclerosis, while TG, the ape A-I/apo B ratio, and RLP-C levels m ay be useful indicators of atherosclerotic risk in peritoneal dialysis patients.