Relationship between apolipoproteins and chemical components of lipoproteins in survivors of myocardial infarction.

The relationship of VLDL-, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-triglycerides and of apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and apo-D has been studied in 89 survivors of myocardial infarction and in 80 age- and sex-matched controls. The two groups as a whole were analysed as well as sub-groups of subjects divided according to their lipid phenotype (normolipidaemic, IIA, IIB and IV). The data support the view that plasma levels of apo-B and apoA-I as well as their ratio and the TC/apo-B and LDL-C/apo-B ratios are better indicators of lipid derangement in survivors of myocardial infarction than the levels of LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. Total cholesterol, total triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol and VLDL-triglycerides are of no help in discriminating between the two series. The VLDL-C/VLDL-TG ratio in survivors is, however, very close to the ratio thought to be peculiar to type III hyperlipidaemia.