AIM: Evaluation of the plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglicerides, lipoprotein (a) during 12 months of the natural course of AVS. PATIENTS & METHODS: 60 patients with AVS and 14 controls had echocardiographic examination at the beginning and at the 12th months of observation. The AVS group was divided retrospectively at 12 month of the study into 2 groups. 30 patients with rapid deterioration of echocardiographic parameters (PAVS group) and 30 patients with slow deterioration of echocardiographic parameters (SAVS group). Plasma concentration of CRP, TNFalpha, IL-6, anti-chlamydial IgA, IgG, IgM antibodies were evaluated at the beginning and at the 12th month of the study. RESULTS: Smokers' ratio was higher in the AVS group compared to controls. Body mass and body mass index increased only in the AVS group. Serum levels of triglicerides and lipoprotein (a) increased, while HDL-cholesterol level decreased during 12 months in the AVS group. HDL-cholesterol plasma level increased in the control group. LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and the lipoprotein (a) were the parameters which differed between AVS and control groups. Lipoprotein (a) was the only lipoprotein which increased in the PAVS group. HDL-cholesterol was the only parameters which differed between PAVS and SAVS groups. Serum cholesterol level did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking increase in plasma levels of triglicerides and lipoprotein (a) and decrease in HDL-cholesterol were associated with the AVS and its progression.