Is the assessment of lipid profile performed up to seventy two hours from hospital admission due to acute coronary syndrome still valid?

BACKGROUND

Serum concentration of lipids and lipoproteins changes during the course of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels decrease. Also HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels are not stable. Therefore, it has been suggested that reliable assessment of lipid profile can be performed either during the first 24 hours or after 6 weeks or even 3 months from the onset of ACS.

AIM

To examine whether lipid parameters remain stable during the first 72 hours of hospitalisation due to ACS.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 84 patients, aged 30-88 years, hospitalised due to ACS, of whom 90% underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In all patients lipid profile was assessed twice. The first measurement was performed as soon as possible, within 24 hours from hospital admission. The second measurement was obtained within 24 hours from the first sample (group I, n=42), between 24 and 48 hours (group II, n=28), or between 48 and 72 hours (group III, n=15) from the first measurement. Lipid parameters obtained from the first measurement were compared with those obtained during the second assessment.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between lipid parameters measured during the first and second measurement within all three investigated groups nor were there any significant inter-group differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Lipid profile assessed within 72 hours from the hospital admission due to ACS is as valid as the measurement performed within the first 24 hours.