Luminal loss and restenosis after coronary angioplasty - The role of lipoproteins and lipids

Aims Lipoproteins and lipids, especially lipoprotein(a), have been studied as risk factors for restenosis after coronary angioplasty with conflicting results. We investigated the association between serum levels of lipoprotei n(a) apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B-100, total-cholesterol, high dens ity lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, and coronary luminal loss and r estenosis after angioplasty. Methods The lipoproteins and lipids were measured in 305 consecutive patien ts who underwent successful angioplasty and reangiography 20 +/- 3 weeks af ter angioplasty. Single-vessel dilatation was performed in 251 patients. Lu minal loss was defined as minimal luminal diameter postangioplasty minus mi nimal luminal diameter at follow-up, divided by the interpolated reference diameter of the vessel. Restenosis was defined according to three dichotomo us categorical criteria: (1) >50% diameter stenosis at follow-up (2) loss o f >50% of the gain achieved by angioplasty, (3) the need for target vessel revascularization. Results There was no significant association between the serum levels of li poproteins and lipids and luminal loss. Univariate analysis did not show an y significant difference in the serum levels of any of the lipoproteins and lipids between the restenosis and no-restenosis groups. Multivariate analy sis revealed that only the angiographic variables (luminal gain and post-an gioplasty minimal luminal diameter) were associated with luminal loss and r estenosis after angioplasty. Conclusion Lipoproteins and lipids were neither associated with luminal los s nor independent risk factors for restenosis after angioplasty.