title: Relationship between lipoprotein(a) concentrations and intima-media thickness: a healthy population study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been linked to an increased risk of ischaemic cardiovascular events. We examined whether Lp(a) plasma levels are associated with early arteriosclerosis by measuring intima media thickness in an asymptomatic population of Burgos, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined lipids, lipoprotein(a) by a nephelometry method and the intima-media thickness (IMT) in the far wall of both common carotid arteries by B-mode ultrasound in a group of 172 asymptomatic subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No association was found in the population group between Lp(a) concentrations and left, right, or overall mean IMT by univariate or multivariate regression analysis. The median IMT was not significantly different in individuals with Lp(a) levels >300 mg/l and in individuals with Lp(a) levels <300 mg/l.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that increased Lp(a) levels do not confer cardiovascular risk by promoting early atherogenesis, but rather increasing the susceptibility to thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain. mpcalmarza@salud.aragon.es
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calmarza
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Trejo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lapresta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)