Lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, and hypercoagulable states in young men with premature peripheral atherosclerosis: a prospective, controlled analysis.

PURPOSE

Elevated lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) lipoprotein, total homocysteine, and hypercoagulable states (HCS) have all been implicated as risk factors for premature-onset atherosclerosis. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of these abnormalities in young men with chronic lower extremity ischemia (peripheral vascular disease [PVD]) and to determine their relative strengths as risk factors for premature peripheral atherosclerosis.

METHODS

We analyzed 50 young white men (aged 45 years or younger at onset of symptoms) and compared them with 45 age-matched white male control subjects.

RESULTS

Atherosclerotic risk factors were similar in both groups. The mean (+/- SEM) Lp(a) lipoprotein level was 36 +/- 6 mg/dl among the study patients, compared with 14 +/- 2 mg/dl among control subjects (p = 0.02, Mann-Whitney). Twenty (40%) study patients and seven (16%) control subjects had Lp(a) lipoprotein levels of 30 mg/dl or greater (atherosclerotic risk threshold) (p = 0.01, odds ratio = 3.62, confidence interval (CI) 1.4 to 9.5). Positive HCS panels (antiphospholipid antibodies or deficiencies in antithrombin III, protein C, or protein S) were nearly twice as prevalent in study patients (n = 15, 30%) as in controls (n = 8, 18%), but this difference did not achieve statistical significance. The mean total plasma homocysteine level among the study patients was 15.9 +/- 0.9 mumol/L, which was not significantly different from the mean control value of 14.7 +/- 0.7 mumol/L. Lp(a) lipoprotein was related to risk of premature PVD through a linear logistic relationship (p = 0.003, odds ratio per each 1 mg/dl Lp(a) change was 1.03, CI 1.0 to 1.1). Multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression selected two variables: Lp(a) lipoprotein > or = 30 mg/dl (p = 0.01, odds ratio = 3.6, CI 1.3 to 9.9) and family history (p = 0.07, odds ratio = 2.2, CI 0.9 to 5.3). Tests of interaction demonstrated no effect between Lp(a) lipoprotein, HCS, and homocysteine.

CONCLUSIONS

Lp(a) lipoprotein of 30 mg/dl or greater is an independent risk factor for premature peripheral atherosclerosis in men. None of the other examined variables exhibited a significant association with premature PVD.