Apolipoprotein(a) and ischaemic heart disease in familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Serum concentrations of apolipoprotein(a) were measured in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. The levels in 47 patients were a median of 2.5 times higher than those in controls matched for age and sex (240 [range 25-1245] vs 97 [7-1040] mg/l). Among patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia apo(a) levels were higher in those with (n = 48) than in those without (n = 72) ischaemic heart disease (283 [18-1245] vs 144 [7-741] mg/l); both in univariate and multivariate analysis serum apo(a) was the most significant variable distinguishing between the groups. Despite reducing LDL cholesterol by 30%, treatment with cholestyramine or pravastatin did not reduce apo(a) levels in these patients. These findings support the concept that apo(a) concentration is a genetic trait predisposing to ischaemic heart disease and imply that it may be useful in the identification of familial hypercholesterolaemia patients at high risk of coronary disease.
Wiklund
O
O
Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Medicine I, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Angelin
B
B
Olofsson
S O
SO
Eriksson
M
M
Fager
G
G
Berglund
L
L
Bondjers
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood*; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017035:Pravastatin; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000187:drug effects
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin; D017035:Pravastatin