Serum lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile in young South Indian patients with myocardial infarction.

Coronary artery disease is now a major health problem in India. In past few decades the battle to reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease has led the researchers to look for various clinical markers, which would help early diagnosis of the diseases. The present study was undertaken to assess the level of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and few other lipids in selected myocardial infarction (MI) patients below 45 years without having any traditional risk factors but with positive family history. Fasting blood samples were taken from 65 patients and their total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and serum Lp(a) were determined. The control group consisted of 50 age matched healthy individuals. The mean Lp(a) level was 58.6±3.20 mg/dl in patients and 19.70±0.18 mg/dl in controls. Thus Lp(a) levels were found significantly higher in patients with MI (p<0.05 for patients versus control) as compared to the controls. There was no significant difference in the levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL, VLDL HDL, TGL as compared to controls but there was an increase in TC/HDL cholesterol ratio. The results of this study suggest that high level of Lp(a) and TC/HDL ratio has a distinctive association with MI, independent of other common coronary risk factors. Hence, Lp(a) level in serum emerges to be a promising marker for diagnosis of coronary artery diseases.