Lipoprotein (a), cholesterol and triglycerides in women with venous thromboembolism

Plasma concentrations of lipoprotein (a), total cholesterol, high-density l ipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglyceride were measured in 62 women who had suffered an episode of obje ctively confirmed venous thromboembolism (VTE) at less than or equal to 50 years of age, and in 98 age-matched female controls. The mean body mass ind ex (BMI) of cases was significantly (P< 0.001) higher than that of controls . Plasma triglyceride was significantly higher, and total cholesterol/LDL-a nd HDL-cholesterol significantly lower, in cases compared with controls. Af ter adjustment for BMI, the plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol re mained significantly lower in cases. No significant differences in mean pla sma lipoprotein (a) levels were identified between cases and controls. Lipo protein (a) does not appear to be significantly associated with the develop ment of VTE in young women. The increased risk of VTE in obese subjects may be mediated, at least in part, via hypertriglyceridaemia, which has previo usly been demonstrated to have effects on levels of coagulation factors, na tural anticoagulants, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. Blood Coa gul Fibrinolysis 11:225-229 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.