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Published on: September 30, 2025

High-density lipoproteins and coronary artery disease: a single-center cohort study

Alon Schaffer1, Monica Verdoia1, Lucia Barbieri1

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria "Maggiore della Carità," Eastern Piedmont University, Novara, Italy.

Angiology
|September 21, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) significantly predicts coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. An HDL-C level below 44 mg/dL best identifies individuals at higher risk for CAD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Understanding the role of lipid profiles, particularly high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive value of HDL-C levels for the prevalence and extent of CAD.
  • To identify predictors of low HDL-C levels.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from 3280 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
  • Statistical assessment of various clinical and biochemical factors associated with HDL-C levels and CAD prevalence.
  • Determination of the optimal HDL-C cutoff value for predicting CAD risk.

Main Results:

  • Lower HDL-C levels (<32 mg/dL) were associated with male gender, diabetes, renal failure, higher LDL-C and total cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, increased white blood cells, aging, prior myocardial infarction, lower hemoglobin, and use of ARBs and statins.
  • HDL-C levels showed a significant inverse association with CAD prevalence (adjusted OR: 1.35).
  • An HDL-C level below 44 mg/dL demonstrated the highest predictive value for CAD risk (adjusted OR: 1.61).

Conclusions:

  • HDL-C is a significant independent predictor of CAD.
  • An HDL-C cutoff of <44 mg/dL is recommended for identifying individuals at increased risk of developing CAD.

Keywords:
coronary angiographycoronary artery diseasehigh-density lipoprotein

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