[The cholesterol content in immune complexes as a marker of coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis].

As many as 107 patients with coronary atherosclerosis, 66 with peripheral atherosclerosis, 27 with unaltered coronary arteries and 30 healthy blood donors were examined. The content of cholesterol in immune complexes was significantly higher in patients with coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis as compared to patients with intact arteries and healthy subjects. The highest content of cholesterol in immune complexes was detected in patients with combined lesions of coronary arteries and arteries of the lower limbs. It exceeded 3.5-5.5-fold the content of cholesterol in immune complexes in the control groups. The accuracy of the diagnosis with the aid of measuring the content of cholesterol in immune complexes in atherosclerosis of any sites was equal to 85%, in peripheral atherosclerosis to 89%, which slightly exceeded the diagnosis accuracy in atherosclerosis of coronary arteries (83%).