Coronary artery disease risk predicted by plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein(a) in a general Chinese population

Abstract

We measured lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in blood samples from control subjects and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in Taiwan. We found significant differences (P <0.01) in the concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), apolipoprotein Al (ApoAl), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Concentrations of HDLC <350 mg/L, ApoAl <900 mg/L, ApoB >800 mg/L, and Lp(a) >200 mg/L occurred, respectively, 2.8, 5.2, 1.7, and 2.3 times more frequently in the patients than in the control group. If one considers HDLC at <350 mg/L, ApoAl at <900 mg/L, ApoB at >800 mg/L, and Lp(a) at >200 mg/L as separate risk factors for CAD, the ratio of individual patients to control subjects having 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0 risk factors was ∝, 9.4, 2.1, 0.2, 0.2, respectively. Individuals displaying three or more risk factors were found 15 times more frequently in the CAD group than in the control group. These risk factors may be used clinically for the prediction and prevention of CAD in the general population.