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Is it possible to predict atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta by the patient's lipid panel?
İsmail Haberal1, Mehmet Ali Yesiltas2, Ahmet Ozan Koyuncu1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiology, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
This study found no significant difference in standard lipid panel values for patients with or without aortic atherosclerosis. Further research is needed for better diagnostic markers of atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease.
- Traditional lipid profiles (HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol) are used to assess cardiovascular risk.
- The relationship between lipid levels and atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between preoperative lipid profiles and the presence of atherosclerosis in the ascending aorta.
- To determine if standard cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels can predict aortic atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of aortic tissue samples from 48 patients.
- Comparison of preoperative lipid values (HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol) between patients with and without aortic plaque.
- Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and free T3 levels.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference was observed in HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, or triglyceride levels between the atherosclerosis and non-atherosclerosis groups.
- Free T3 levels were lower in the non-atherosclerosis group, though within the normal range.
- No significant difference in preoperative cardiovascular risk assessments between groups.
Conclusions:
- Standard lipid panel parameters (HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol) do not show a significant association with aortic atherosclerosis.
- Current laboratory parameters may have insufficient accuracy for diagnosing aortic atherosclerosis.
- There is a need for more precise laboratory markers to identify atherosclerosis.
Introduction:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory event characterized by stiffness and thickening of the vascular walls. In our daily practice, we assume the atherosclerotic potential of the patient by following the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels (lipid panel). We aimed to understand the relation between the HDL, LDL, cholesterol levels and the atherosclerosis in large vascular structures such as the ascending aorta.
Material And Methods:
We have searched for atherosclerosis in the aortic tissue samples from 48 patients. It is a study in which we examine the correlation of preoperative cholesterol values (HDL, LDL, triglyceride, total cholesterol) by dividing the patients into two groups according to the presence of plaque.
Results:
Forty-three (89.6%) male and 5 (10.4%) female patients between 39 and 81 years of age were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients' preoperative cardiovascular risk assessments. The free T3 values were within the normal range in all patients, but there was a difference that patients in the non-atherosclerosis group had lower values. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups' HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, or triglyceride parameters.
Conclusions:
As a result, in our study, no significant difference was found between HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride, total cholesterol values and the pathological process of aortic atherosclerosis. As a result of this study, we believe that it was necessary to correct the error margins of these parameters. In addition, it required the need for a clearer laboratory parameter to demonstrate atherosclerosis.
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