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Lp(a) lipoprotein in patients with arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities
O Norrgård1, K A Angquist, G Dahlen
1Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
High levels of Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) may be a risk factor for peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAI), particularly in women. This study found elevated Lp(a) concentrations in PAI patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Lipidology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAI) is a condition affecting lower extremities.
- Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum Lp(a) levels and peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAI).
- To determine if Lp(a) is a risk factor for PAI, especially in women.
Main Methods:
- Serum Lp(a) concentrations were measured in 66 PAI patients and 164 controls.
- Statistical analysis compared Lp(a) levels between patient and control groups, stratified by sex.
Main Results:
- Mean Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in PAI patients (236 mg/l) than controls (129 mg/l).
- Elevated Lp(a) (>300 mg/l) was more frequent in PAI patients.
- A significant difference was observed in female patients versus female controls (280 vs. 118 mg/l).
- No significant association was found between Lp(a) and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, or HDL-cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- High serum Lp(a) levels may represent a significant risk factor for developing peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAI).
- The association between high Lp(a) and PAI appears particularly pronounced in women.
Abstract:
The serum concentration of Lp(a) lipoprotein was determined in 66 patients with peripheral arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities (PAI) and 164 controls. The mean level was higher among the patients than among the controls (236 +/- 248 vs. 129 +/- 159 mg/l, p = 0.01), and values above 300 mg/l were more common among the patients (22/66 vs. 21/164, p less than 0.001). The difference between the 26 female patients and the 94 female controls was statistically significant (280 +/- 268 vs. 118 +/- 141 mg/l, p less than 0.001), but not the difference between the 40 male patients and the 70 male controls (208 +/- 235 vs. 142 +/- 182 mg/l). A high Lp(a) lipoprotein level was not associated with a high LDL-cholesterol level, and there was no significant correlation between the serum levels of Lp(a) lipoprotein and triglycerides++, total cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol. The results indicate, that high Lp(a) lipoprotein levels may be a risk factor for PAI in women.