title: Lipoprotein(a) and ultrasonographically determined early atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and femoral artery.
abstract: Recent studies suggest that high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] plasma levels are associated with symptomatic ischemic cardiovascular disease. We examined whether Lp(a) plasma levels are associated with early atherosclerotic vessel wall changes in a group of asymptomatic subjects. In a group of 142 asymptomatic men, the intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery, the carotid bifurcation and the common femoral artery was determined by B-mode ultrasonography. In addition to Lp(a) levels, established risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels were determined. Lipoprotein(a) values ranged from 2 mg L(-1) to 900 mg L(-1) (median 145 mg L(-1)). Linear regression analysis showed a clear association of IMT with the established risk factors but not with Lp(a) [regression coefficient carotid artery -0.0003, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.002-0.001; regression coefficient femoral artery -0.0003, 95% CI -0.004-0.003]. We found no increased intima-media thickness in the carotid or femoral artery at high levels of Lp(a). Lipoprotein(a) levels are not associated with early atherosclerotic vessel wall changes in the carotid or femoral artery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Srámek
authors.forename: J H C
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Reiber
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baak-Pablo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sturk
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Rosendaal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a)