Are triglyceride-rich lipoproteins associated with aortic valve sclerosis? A preliminary report.
BACKGROUND
Evidence linking cardiovascular risk factors to aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) has led to the assumption that the latter is an atherosclerosis-like process. However, triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins, an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, have been rarely investigated in connection with AVS.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 246 healthy individuals (mean age 59+/-6 years, 77% men) was conducted. Subjects underwent an echocardiographic assessment and extensive blood lipid measurements, including evaluation of TG-related indices, such as serum apolipoprotein (apo) C(II) and C(III) levels, apo C(III) levels in VLDL+LDL particles, and apo C(III) ratio (C(III) level in HDL/C(III) level in VLDL+LDL).


RESULTS
Twenty-three patients (9.3%) were diagnosed as having AVS. On average, these patients were 5 years older and had higher levels of serum cholesterol, LDL-C and LP(a), compared with non-AVS subjects. In addition, the AVS patients exhibited higher concentrations of serum apo C(II), serum apo C(III) and apo C(III) in VLDL+LDL, and a lower apo C(III) ratio. Adjusting for age and gender, a 1 S.D. increment in apo C(III) in VLDL+LDL was associated with odds ratio (OR) of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.17-2.65) for AVS. Further adjustment for atherosclerotic risk factors did not alter the association appreciably (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.06-2.58).


CONCLUSIONS
TG-rich lipoproteins may be involved in the early development of AVS. Confirmation in prospective studies is required.
Gerber
Yariv
Y
Division of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Sackler Medical Faculty, Tel Aviv University, and Institute of Lipid & Artherosclerosis Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. yarivg@post.tau.ac.il
Goldbourt
Uri
U
Feinberg
Micha S
MS
Segev
Shlomo
S
Harats
Dror
D
D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012598:Sclerosis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides