[Lipoprotein (a) as a risk factor for coronary artery disease in women and elderly patients]

The role of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) in women and elderly is not clear. In this study we assessed the relation between serum Lp (a) levels and CAD, taking into account the differences in sex and age.

Lp (a) levels and other lipid variables were determined in 535 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for chest pain evaluation. Among 535 patients, 163 patients had angiographically normal coronary arteries (70 men and 93 women) and 372 patients had significant coronary lesions at least one coronary artery (300 men and 72 women).

After adjustment for hypertension, smoking, diabetes, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), elevated Lp (a) was independently predictive for CAD in both sexes under 55 years old (odds ratio [OR]: 5.1, p < 0.01 for men and OR: 2.3, p < 0.05 for women). In patients more than 55 years old elevated Lp (a) was not associated with CAD for both sexes (OR: 1.3, p = NS for men and OR: 1.2, p = NS for women).

We did not find any relation between elevated Lp (a) concentrations and presence of angiographically detectable CAD both in men and women aged more than 55 years old. Our results suggest that elevated Lp (a) is an independent risk factor for premature CAD for both men and women.