Lipoprotein(a) as a strong indicator for cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

To evaluate the role of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD), lipid parameters were compared with a control group (CO). Additionally, the Lp(a) serum levels were investigated in a coronary artery disease (CAD) group. The CO was made up of 37 healthy persons (age: 54.5 ± 7.7, 26 males and 11 females), the CVD group included 46 patients with sustained transient ischemic attack (TIA) prolonged reversible ischemic neurologic deficits (PRIND) and cerebral infarction (CI) (age: 53.6 ± 9.7, 32 males and 14 females), and the CAD group was made up of 28 survivors of myocardial infarctions (age: 52.5 ± 8.1, 18 males and 10 females). The median values of Lp(a) in CVD were significantly higher than in the CO (p < 0.01) and did not differ significantly from the CAD. Total TC, HDL-C, TG, LDL-C and the ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C did not show any significant difference between the control and cerebrovascular disease group. For quantification of the vascular lesions of the carotid system, a Duplex Doppler score system was used. The score correlated with Lp(a) in patients between 40 to 65 years of age (r = 0.34, p < 0.01). Thus, we conclude that Lp(a) is not only a risk factor for CAD but aiso for CVD. © 1986 American Heart Association, Inc.