Lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in pericardial fluid: new postmortem markers for coronary atherosclerosis

Determinations of lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) and various apolipoproteins (Apo A-I, Lp(a) and Apo B-100) were performed in postmortem pericardial fluid. Studies were carried out on 77 cadavers: 41 adult subjects with a morphological and biochemical diagnosis of intermediate or fresh myocardial infarction and 36 adults with no previous history of myocardial infarction. HDL and LDL were determined by enzymatic methods. Both apolipoproteins (A-I and B-100) were quantified by radio-immunoassay methods and Lp(a) was measured by enzyme immunoassay. Cases with severe atherosclerosis of coronary arteries showed higher levels of Apo B in pericardial fluid compared to cases without atherosclerosis. A significant increase of Apo B was found in cases with a positive diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Due to the high level of Apo B in pericardial fluid, a decrease in the LDL/Apo B ratio, along with a pronounced increase in the Apo B/Apo A ratio, was detected. The determination of Apo B in pericardial fluid can be a useful parameter to be included in biochemical analysis for the postmortem diagnosis of myocardial infarction related to coronary atherosclerosis.