Association of lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes with coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in CHD men

Aim. To evaluate in a case-control cross-sectional study whether lipoprotei n(a) concentration and apo(a) phenotypes are associated with the presence a nd severity of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. Materials and methods. We have examined 198 male CHD patients (mean age 53/-8) years) with stenosis more than 50% at least in one main coronary arter y or its major branches. Duplex scanning was performed in 168 patients to a ssess the degree of carotid atherosclerosis. Seventy six apparently healthy men (mean age 39+/-9 years) formed the control group. Lp(a) concentration was measured by ELISA, apo(a) phenotyping was performed by immunoblotting. Results. Lp(a) level was significantly higher in cases compared to controls : 37+/-31 mg/dl vs. 18+/-27 mg/dl, p<0.05. Patients had low-molecular weigh t apo(a) phenotypes more frequently than controls: 46% vs. 29%, p=0.01. Pat ients aged 45 years and younger had low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes more frequently than older ones (65% vs. 42%, p<0.05) and controls (65% vs. 29%, respectively, p=0.001). High Lp(a) level and low-molecular weighs apo (a) phenotypes correlated with presence and number of coronary occlusions. Conclusion. There was association between Lp(a) level, low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes and presence, severity, extension of carotid atheroscler osis. No differences in distribution of other CHD risk factors among all su bgroups of patients were found.