Abstract
BackgroundElevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and a higher degree of coronary artery calcification (CAC) are both considered to be risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the relationship between Lp(a) levels and the degree of CAC indicates significant heterogeneity that may be due to varying ethnicities. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive power of Lp(a) for CAC as measured by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the Han ethnic group of China.MethodsA total of 1082 subjects were recruited in this study. The patients were divided into four groups: patients without hypertension or diabetes were group 1, patients with hypertension were group 2, patients with diabetes were group 3 and patients with both hypertension and diabetes were group 4. CAC score (CACs), lipid profiles (Lp(a), LDL, HDL, TG, TC), HbA1C, glucose, personal health history and body morphology were measured in all participants. The predictive power of Lp(a) for calcified atherosclerotic plaque was determined by correlations and ordinal logistic regression.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the CACs between group 2 and group 3 (z = 1.790, p = 0.736), and there were significant differences among the other groups. However, there was no significant difference in the total Lp(a) among the 4 groups (χ2 = 0.649, p = 0.885). Only In group 1, Lp(a) was a statistically significant predictor of the presence of calcified coronary plaque using ordinal logistic regression.ConclusionsLevels of Lp(a) positively correlate with CACs among Chinese Han people who are without diabetes and hypertension, suggesting that Lp(a) may be an important risk factor for the presence of calcified atheromas.
Highlights
The development of non-invasive imaging techniques, such as multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), allows for visualizing atherosclerotic plaque burden in vivo
To be entered into the database, individuals were required to be asymptomatic for cardiovascular disease and have no prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD) at the time of enrollment
The results of the current study indicate that Lp(a) is significantly correlated with and predictive of prevalent coronary calcification in the asymptomatic Chinese Han people who are without diabetes and hypertension
Summary
The development of non-invasive imaging techniques, such as multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), allows for visualizing atherosclerotic plaque burden in vivo. Coronary artery calcium scores (CACs) gauged by MDCT have been demonstrated to predict future cardiovascular events in multiple populations [1,2]. The correlation between coronary artery calcium (CAC) and coronary events has not been clearly demonstrated [3]. Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and a higher degree of coronary artery calcification (CAC) are both considered to be risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have demonstrated that the relationship between Lp(a) levels and the degree of CAC indicates significant heterogeneity that may be due to varying ethnicities. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive power of Lp(a) for CAC as measured by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the Han ethnic group of China
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