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Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism: a risk factor for fatal coronary sclerosis?
Steffen Heide1, Kleiber Manfred, Christiane Gläser
1Institute for Forensic Medicine; Halle University, Franzosenweg 1, Halle, Germany. steffen.heide@medizin.uni-halle.de
Forensic Science International
|September 8, 2009
Summary
The apolipoprotein E (apoE) epsilon4-allele is linked to a higher risk of coronary artery sclerosis and increased stenosis severity in fatal premature cases. Genetic counseling is recommended for relatives of affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Autopsy Studies
- Apolipoprotein E Research
Background:
- Numerous clinical studies link apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism to coronary heart disease.
- Autopsy studies investigating this association are scarce, particularly in Germany.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between apoE polymorphism and premature coronary sclerosis using autopsy data.
- To determine if apoE genotype influences the severity of coronary artery stenosis in fatal cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 121 autopsy cases with premature coronary sclerosis.
- Data collected included degree of coronary stenosis, BMI, and left heart hypertrophy.
- Comparison with a control group of 253 healthy blood donors and 79 cardiac catheterization patients without coronary macro-angiopathy.
- Apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotyping performed on blood samples.
Main Results:
- No significant influence of apoE genotype or allele on premature death was observed overall.
- However, carriers of the apoE epsilon4-allele showed a significantly higher degree of coronary artery stenosis in fatal cases.
- This suggests a specific risk associated with the apoE epsilon4-allele in severe coronary artery sclerosis.
Conclusions:
- The presence of the apoE epsilon4-allele is associated with increased severity of coronary artery sclerosis in fatal premature cases.
- Genetic counseling for blood relatives is recommended when fatal premature coronary sclerosis and the apoE epsilon4-allele are confirmed.
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