Relation between high density lipoprotein particles concentration and cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Lipid Metabolism
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Previous trials targeting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol failed to improve cardiovascular outcomes.
• HDL particles may serve as more accurate biomarkers than HDL cholesterol concentration.
• This meta-analysis investigates the association between blood HDL particle levels and cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between blood HDL particle concentration and cardiovascular events.
• To determine if HDL particles are a better indicator of cardiovascular risk than HDL cholesterol.
• To explore HDL particles as potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and other databases.
• Study quality was assessed using the NewCastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS).
• Pooled hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using random or fixed-effect models.

Main Results:

• Twelve studies were included, revealing an inverse relationship between HDL particle levels and cardiovascular events.
• A per standard deviation (SD) increment in HDL particles showed a pooled HR of 0.79 (0.72, 0.86).
• Top quartile versus bottom quartile analysis yielded a pooled HR of 0.65 (0.57, 0.75), with smaller and medium HDL particles showing stronger inverse associations.

Conclusions:

• Blood HDL particle levels are inversely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.
• HDL particles may act as a protective factor, particularly in patients with existing CVD.
• HDL particles represent a promising biomarker and potential therapeutic target for managing cardiovascular disease.