[Coronary atherosclerosis and serum lipoproteins]

VLDL triglycerides were increased both in obese patients and obese controls. In lean CHD patients the VLDL triglycerides were higher than in lean controls but lower than in obese CHD patients. CHD patients had lower HDL cholesterol than controls. The lowest HDL cholesterol was observed when VLDL triglycerides were high in both CHD patients and controls. However, the differences in HDL cholesterol between CHD patients and controls with low VLDL triglycerides were more marked. It appears that factors other than VLDL triglycerides may also contribute to the low HDL cholesterol observed in CHD patients. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides did not reflect the more subtle changes occurring in the lipoprotein lipids of CHD patients.