Lipoprotein (a) concentrations in patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), and its association with hyperlipidemia and/or hypertension greatly increases the risk of premature CHD.


METHODS
The present study assessed plasma concentrations of Lp(a) in hyperlipidemic subjects from families with well-defined familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH) (n = 262) and from patients with hypertension (n = 168), and to compare it with Lp(a) plasma levels in healthy volunteers (n = 371). Lp(a) concentrations were measured using a specific radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
The Lp(a) plasma concentrations were similar in FCH patients (median 204 mg/l, range 16-2163 mg/l) and in the control group (155, 16-1846 mg/l; P > 0.05). The Lp(a) levels in patients with hypertension (157, 10-1985 mg/l) did not differ from those of controls (P > 0.05). The Lp(a) concentrations were similar in patients with essential hypertension (EH) and normal lipid levels, and in hyperlipidemic EH patients. A tendency towards higher levels of Lp(a) was observed in patients with secondary hypertension due to renal artery stenosis (RAS) (n = 26, Lp(a) 232, 16-1110 mg/l), but this was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma concentrations of Lp(a) are similar in patients with FCH, with EH, either normo- or hyperlipidemic, and with RAS, when compared with healthy controls. However, measuring the Lp(a) levels in patients with either hyperlipidemia or hypertension remains important for assessing the risk potential for severe atherosclerosis in these patients.
Netea
R T
RT
Department of Medicine, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Netea
M G
MG
Bredie
S J
SJ
Demacker
P N
PN
Hancu
N
N
Thien
T
T
Stalenhoef
A F
AF
D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006950:Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D006978:Hypertension, Renovascular / Q000097:blood; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol