Lipoprotein (a) concentrations in patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia and hypertension

Background: Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for coron ary heart disease (CHD), and its association with hyperlipidemia and/or hyp ertension greatly increases the risk of premature CHD. Methods: The present study assessed plasma concentrations of Lp(a) in hyper lipidemic subjects from families with well-defined familial combined hyperl ipidemia (FCH) (n = 262) and from patients with hypertension (n = 168), and to compare it with Lp(a) plasma levels in healthy volunteers (n = 371). Lp (a) concentrations were measured using a specific radioimmunoassay. Results: The Lp(a) plasma concentrations were similar in FCH patients (medi an 204 mg/l, range 16-2163 mg/l) and in the control group (155, 16-1846 mg/ l; P > 0.05). The Lp(a) levels in patients with hypertension (157, 10-1985 mg/l) did not differ from those of controls (P > 0.05). The Lp(a) concentra tions were similar in patients with essential hypertension (EH) and normal lipid levels, and in hyperlipidemic EH patients. A tendency towards higher levels of Lp(a) was observed in patients with secondary hypertension due to renal artery stenosis (RAS) (n = 26, Lp(a) 232, 16-1110 mg/l), but this wa s not statistically significant. Conclusions: Plasma concentrations of Lp(a) are similar in patients with FC H, with EH, either normo- or hyperlipidemic, and with RAS, when compared wi th healthy controls. However, measuring the Lp(a) levels in patients with e ither hyperlipidemia or hypertension remains important for assessing the ri sk potential for severe atherosclerosis in these patients. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.