Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)
10:02

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT)

Published on: May 2, 2012

Metabolic determinants of the course of coronary artery disease in men

G F Watts1, S Mandalia, B M Slavin

  • 1Department of Chemical Pathology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.

Clinical Chemistry
|December 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the key metabolic predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) progression in men. Measuring LDL cholesterol alone is sufficient for tracking CAD changes over time.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) progression is influenced by various metabolic factors.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for effective disease management and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between metabolic variables and the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To identify the most significant metabolic predictor for changes in CAD over a three-year period.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the St. Thomas' Atherosclerosis Regression Study (STARS).
  • Measured CAD progression using quantitative coronary angiography, assessing changes in mean absolute width of coronary segments (delta MAWS).
  • Analyzed correlations between plasma concentrations of various metabolic variables and delta MAWS, employing multiple regression analysis.

Main Results:

  • A decrease in MAWS (CAD progression) significantly correlated with plasma concentrations of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (apoB), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)].
  • No significant associations were found with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apoA-I, vitamin E, thyroid hormones, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, or glucose/insulin levels.
  • Multiple regression analysis identified LDL cholesterol as the strongest predictor of delta MAWS, explaining 22% of the variance.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma LDL cholesterol is the most important metabolic predictor of changes in symptomatic CAD in men.
  • Measuring other variables like apoB or Lp(a) offers no additional advantage in predicting CAD changes when LDL cholesterol is known.

More Related Videos

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty10:03

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty

Published on: January 28, 2020

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance01:29

Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance

Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...