Korean Circ J.  2012 Apr;42(4):246-251. 10.4070/kcj.2012.42.4.246.

Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol/High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol Ratio Predicts Plaque Vulnerability in Patients With Stable Angina

• Kim JH
• Jeong MH
• Hong YJ
• Lee KH
• Kim IS
• Choi YH
• Lee MG
• Park KH
• Sim DS
• Kim JH
• Ahn Y
• Cho JG
• Park JC
• Kang JC

• KMID: 2225017
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2012.42.4.246

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The relationship between lipid profile and coronary plaque tissue characteristics in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between tissue characteristics and lipid profile and predictors of unstable plaques (UPs) in patients with SAP by virtual histology intravascular ultrasonography (VH-IVUS).
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
VH-IVUS was performed for target lesions in patients with SAP (61.7+/-9.2 years, 174 males, n=266) at the time of coronary angiography. UPs are characterized by thin-cap fibroatheroma, ruptured plaque, or remaining thrombus with VH-IVUS.
RESULTS
The present study showed that 34 SAP patients had UPs (61.6+/-9.2 years, 24 males, 12.8%). The percentage of plaque area in the minimum luminal area in high low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio patients was significantly higher than in low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio patients (72.7+/-9.5% vs. 69.9+/-9.3%, p=0.035). An LDL-C/HDL-C ratio >2.0 was an independent predictor for UPs in SAP patients (odds ratio 5.252, 95% confidence interval 1.132-24.372, p=0.034).
CONCLUSION
An elevated LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is a positive predictor for coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with SAP.

Keyword

Ultrasonography; Plaque, atherosclerotic; Angina pectoris; Cholesterol, high density lipoprotein; Cholesterol, low density lipoprotein

MeSH Terms

Angina Pectoris
Angina, Stable
Coronary Angiography
Humans
Male
Phenobarbital
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
Thrombosis
Ultrasonography, Interventional
Phenobarbital

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