Lipoprotein (a) level in acute myocardial infarction: comparison with healthy subjects

Increased lipoprotein (a)[ LP (a)] concentration was reported to be an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was performed to determine the level of Lp(a) and other lipids in patients with acute myocardial infarction and comparing them with matched healthy subjects. We studied a total of 43 cases who admitted to coronary care unit (CCU) for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and also 43 healthy subjects. Data collection comprised Lp (a), total cholesterol, LDL-cholestrol (LDL-C),HDL-cholestrol(HDL-C)level and medical history. The mean Lp (a) level in acute MI cases was 49.18mg/dl, and in the control group was 37.95mg/dl. There was significant difference between two groups (p=0.018). The mean total cholesterol LDL-C and HDL_C, level in acute MI cases were 183.9, 106.5 and 58.12 mg/dl respectively and in control cases were 227,145.8 and 51mg/dl respectively. The mean level of Lp(a) in women (case& control) was 50mg/dl that was higher than men(37.1mg/dl). Also Lp(a )was independent of other lipids. As one of the first studies about Lp(a) in Acute MI patients, this study shows that average Lp(a ) level in patients with acute MI is higher than control patients. Another interesting finding is that level in women is higher than men. We recommend complementary epidemiologic study to evaluate this finding.