On the relation between peripheral atherosclerosis and serum lipoproteins.

The occurrence and degree of peripheral atherosclerosis in 30 male patients with symptoms of intermittent claudication were studied by arteriography. The changes observed in the angiograms were codified. In all patients the concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol were determined in whole serum and in the three major lipoprotein classes--very low density, low density and high density lipoproteins. These data were compared with those of a control material and were also correlated to the codified angiographic findings in each individual patient. Positive significant correlation was not found between the arteriographic changes and the serum concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins, which might be explained by an advanced stage of the disease where such relationships might not appear.