HDL subfractions and angiographically defined coronary artery disease

Abstract

Ninety eight patients (68 male, 30 female) were assessed with coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, total HDL and the subfractions HDL2 and HDL3 and LDL were measured. A coronary index was derived to assess the severity of coronary artery disease. This was used to divide the patients into quartiles. In the quartile with the most severe disease the HDL2 level was lower (0.39 ± 0.3 compared to 0.65 ± 0.6 mmolll, p<0.04) and the LDL level was higher (5.25 ± 1.4 compared to 4.04 ± 1.32 mmolll, p < 0.002) in the quartile with the least severe disease.There was no relationship between the severity of coronary artery disease and HDL3 levels. Patterns of smoking behaviour, arterial blood pressure and body weight were all similar in each of the quartiles studied. It is concluded that high HDL2 levels are protective against the development of coronary artery disease.