Serum lipids and lipoproteins in relation to restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Restenosis after coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a major problem, limiting the long-term efficacy of the procedure. Lipoprotein levels are associated with the development of atherosclerosis and may also be associated with restenosis. In this study the serum levels of cholesterol (CH), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were analysed in 157 patients undergoing 161 PTCA procedures. Follow-up coronary angiograms were performed after 6.0 +/- 4.3 months. The restenosis rate was 33%. Treatment with aspirin and a residual stenosis of 25-49% immediately after successful PTCA were the only variables associated with restenosis (P less than 0.05), otherwise the clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar with and without restenosis. There was no relationship between restenosis and the levels of CH, TG, HDL or LDL (P greater than 0.05). In univariate and multivariate analysis of males (n = 121) and females (n = 40) separately, restenosis was associated with low HDL in men and high HDL in women (P less than 0.05), but not with CH, TG or LDL (P greater than 0.05). We conclude that the serum levels of CH, TG and LDL do not seem to be related to restenosis after PTCA. It is suggested that low HDL in males and high HDL in females is related to restenosis.