Abstract
In order to evaluate usefulness of plasma apolipoprotein determination in prediction of the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis, plasma concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins (apo) were measured in 56 male patients whose coronary atherosclerosis were assessed by coronary angiography. The subjects were 56 male patients, aged 42-74 years old, who were referred to Fukui Medical School Hospital for coronary angiographic evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) because of chest pain. Age of the 48 patients (86%) was over 50 years old. Coronary cine angiography was carried out by the selective technique of Sones. The presence of coronary atherosclerosis was defined as 75% or greater narrowing of luminal diameter. Thirty-eight (68%) of 56 patients were classified as CAD group. Single vessel and multivessel CAD group consisted of 23 (41%) and 15 (27%) patients, respectively. Eighteen patients (32%) exhibited normal coronary artery (NCA group).
The following results were obtained:
1. The risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis such as age, smoking and blood pressure were matched among NCA group, single vessel CAD group and multivessel CAD group.
2. There were no significant differences in plasma concentrations of lipids (total cholesterol and triglyceride), LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol among three groups.
3. Plasma levels of apo A-I and apo B and the ratio of apo A-I/apo B correlated significantly to the presence but not to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
Our findings indicate that apolipoproteins are much better discriminator than lipids for coronary atherosclerosis in elderly Japanese males.
