Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Lipoprotein (a) and lipid levels in young patients with myocardial infarction and their first-degree relatives.

BACKGROUND: Studies among emigrant Indians have stressed the role of a powerful genetic factor, lipoprotein (a), in the causation of premature coronary artery disease. This study was carried out to assess lipoprotein (a) and lipid levels in 50 consecutive young north Indian patients (age less than 45 years, mean age 39+/-3.7 years) with myocardial infarction, their first-degree relatives (n=125, mean age 36+/-16 years), and age- and sex-matched controls (n=50, mean age 34+/-6.9 years).

METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood samples for lipid estimation were taken within 24 hours of myocardial infarction and after overnight fasting for twelve hours. Lipoprotein (a) levels were estimated by the ELISA technique using preformed antibodies while lipid levels were estimated by kits using the colorimetric method. All were male patients. The mean lipoprotein (a) level was 22.28+5.4 mg/dl in patients, 13.88+5.19 mg/dl in their first-degree relatives and 9.28+22.59 mg/dl in controls. In addition, it was significantly higher in young patients with myocardial infarction and their relatives as compared to controls (p<0.001 for patients v. controls and p<0.05 for relatives v. controls). There was no significant difference in the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol among the three groups. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower in young patients with myocardial infarction (30.16+/-9.45 mg/dl) and their first-degree relatives (33.28+/-8.45 mg/dl) as compared to controls (46.8+/-8.04 mg/dl) (p<0.001 for patients v. controls and p<0.01 for relatives v. controls). Triglyceride levels were significantly higher in patients as compared to controls (202+/-76 mg/dl v. 149 + 82.99 mg/dl, p<0.05). Smoking was more prevalent in young patients with myocardial infarction as compared to controls (44% v. 36%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Smoking, high lipoprotein (a) and triglyceride levels and low high-density lipoprotein levels may be important risk factors for coronary artery disease in the younger population; also, there is familial clustering of high lipoprotein (a) levels in first-degree relatives of young patients with myocardial infarction.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app