The relationship between the level of Lр(а) and the prevalence of atherosclerosis among young patients

Background. Hyperlipoproteinemia (a) is an independent and cause risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). The correlation between lipoprotein (a) – Lp(a) and inflammation in the vessel wall was actively studied during the past few years. C-reactive protein (CRP) plays an important role in ASCVD.

Aim. To analyze the relationship between hyperlipoproteinemia (a), inflammatory markers, and the early development of stenosing atherosclerosis (AS) in several vascular pools.

Materials and methods. 76 patients, 55 men aged 18 to 55 years and 21women – 18 to 60 years, with the results of instrumental examination of coronary, carotid and lower extremities vascular pools were enrolled. Three groups: with stenosing (≥50%) AS of only one (group 1, n=29); two or three (group 2, n=21) vascular pools. 26 patients without coronary heart disease and AS were included in the control group. All patients in groups 1 and 2 and 65% of those in the control group took statins. The concentrations of Lp(a), CRP, lipids and blood count were determined.

Results. The patients of the three groups did not differ in age. In the groups with AS (79% in group 1 and 85% in group 2), there were more men (relative to 54% in the control group). Diabetes mellitus was more common only in patients with multifocal AS. The absolute number of blood monocytes and leukocytes, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, as well as Lp(a) level were higher in patients of groups 1 and 2 relative to the control. The maximum Lp(a) level (median [25%; 75%]) was observed in patients with lesions of two or more vascular pools vs the control group (49 [4; 96] mg/dL, vs 10 [4; 21] mg/dL, p=0.02). The CRP level was significant elevated in patients from group 2 – 7.2 [4.0; 9.7] mg/L, relative to group 1 – 2.5 [1.0; 4.7] mg/L, and the control group 2.9 [1.2; 4.9] mg/L, p<0.05. The Lp(a) and CRP concentration, or the presence of diabetes mellitus in patients, regardless of other risk factors, were associated with severe stenosing AS in young and middle age.

Conclusion. An elevated concentration of Lp(a) (≥30 mg/dL) determines the presence of both isolated and multifocal stenosing AS in the examined patients. A simultaneous increase in the concentration of both Lp(a) and CRP, as well as the presence of diabetes mellitus, are associated with the premature development of stenosing atherosclerotic lesions in several vascular regions at once. Measurement of these predictors in young and middle-aged patients makes it possible to use them as biochemical markers to assess the likelihood of multifocal lesions of the vascular pool.