Lipoprotein (a) level and hsCRP as risk markers in Myocardial Ischemia

Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death globally. Hyperlipidemias and hyperlipoproteinemias are the most important risk factors for atherosclerosis. Inflammation plays a major role in atherothrombosis, and measurement of inflammatory biomarkers like High Sensitive C- reactive protein (hsCRP) can provide detection of high risk for Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] is a low density lipoprotein like particle synthesized by the liver. There is a strong association between circulating Lp(a) levels and IHD. Objectives: To estimate the serum levels of lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile in ischemic heart disease patients and healthy subjects and to show that serum hsCRP as a better predictor of ischemic heart disease than low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Materials and Methods: A total number of 100 subjects were studied comprising of 50 controls and 50 IHD subjects. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGL) and HDL-C, were estimated by enzymatic methods, LDL-C and VLDL-C were estimated by calculation, Lp(a) was estimated by immunoturbidimetric methods and hsCRP was estimated by chemiluminiscence method. Appropriate statistical analysis was done. Results: TC, TGL, LDL-C, VLDL-C, Lp(a) and hsCRP were increased whereas HDL-C was decreased in IHD subjects when compared to controls. Diagnostic validity test revealed that hsCRP to be a better discriminator of IHD than LDL-C. Conclusion: The results of the current study support the concept that the levels of Lp(a), and hsCRP are strongly related to ischemic heart disease in addition to the levels of serum lipids.