Correlation between plasma lipoprotein(a) levels and intimal medial thicness of common carotid arteries

Previous studies by our group have shown that in hypercholesterolemic patients mean intimal-medial complex of common carotid arteries (CC-IMT) as well as the prevalence of small plaques in the carotid arterial tree were increased with respect to normocholesterolemics. Recently, a number of clinical and epidemiological studies have suggested that the prevalence of elevated plasma Lp(a) levels may be considered an independent risk factor for vascular disease in different districts. In this study the association between elevated Lp(a) levels and changes in CC-IMT was investigated. To this end, 40 patients with diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinemia (18 type Ha, 13 type lIb and 9 type IV) were selected in our Lipid Clinic. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein values were determined by standardized techniques. B-mode ultrasound interrogation was performed with a Bio-Sound 2000 II. For each patient, average intimal-medial thickness (CC-IMT) was determined. The results indicate that CC-IMT values significantly correlate with plasma Lp(a) levels (r=0.35 , p<0.05). The patients were then subdivided according to the presence of one or more vascular risk factors (VRF). Although the presence of multiple VRF contributed to increase mean IMT -thickness, this latter was further increased by the concomitant presence of plasma Lp(a) levels >30 mg/dl. It is concluded that, Lp(a) may be considered an additional risk factor that affects the thickness of common carotid arteries in hyperlipoproteinemic patients.