Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 is Associated with Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Artery Risk Factors in the Elderly

SummaryBackgroundThis study investigated the correlation of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) levels with angiographic coronary artery disease, the extent of angiographic coronary artery lesions and coronary artery disease risk factors in the elderly.MethodsPlasma Lp-PLA2, lipid, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured in 192 elderly patients who underwent coronary angiography because of suspected coronary artery disease. The extent of coronary artery lesions was recorded according to the number of vessels with lesions and the Gensini score system. The relationships of Lp-PLA2 with angiographic coronary artery disease, the extent of coronary artery lesions, and associated risk factors were assessed.ResultsPlasma Lp-PLA2 (359.56 ± 133.47 μg/L vs. 215.12 ± 58.93 μg/L, p < 0.001), triglycerides (1.87 ± 1.29mM vs. 1.23 ± 0.53mM, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (4.47 ± 0.69mM vs. 3.59 ± 0.75mM, p < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.52 ± 0.91mM vs. 2.10 ± 0.63mM, p < 0.01), and C-reactive protein (7.57 ± 1.82 mg/L vs. 2.65 ± 1.74 mg/L, p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the angiographic coronary artery disease group compared to the controls. Lp-PLA2 increased slightly but not significantly with an increasing number of coronary artery lesions and Gensini score. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lp-PLA2 is positively correlated with age (r = 0.249, p < 0.05), total cholesterol (r = 0.326, p < 0.01), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.265, p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Lp-PLA2 [odds ratio, 1.03 (1.01–1.06), p < 0.05] and total cholesterol [odds ratio, 2.74 (1.84–7.80), p < 0.05] are independent predictors for angiographic coronary artery disease.ConclusionLp-PLA2 was confirmed as a risk factor for coronary artery disease and independently predicts the presence of angiographic coronary artery disease in the elderly.