Prediction of short-term progression or regression of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease by lipoprotein (a): a quantitative coronary angiographic study

This study assessed whether progression of coronary artery atherosclerotic lesions could be predicted in the short term using various lipid profiles. In 37 patients (61.9 +/- 9.5 years) undergoing coronary angioplasty and with 6-month follow-up angiography, quantitative coronary angiography of a new or changed lesion was performed in the follow-up examination, except for intervention vessels. The progression-regression score of the assessed lesion was calculated as the baseline minus the follow-up minimal lumen diameter. The serum lipoprotein (a) level was higher in the progression group (progression-regression score > 0.15 mm), than in the regression group (< or = -0.15 mm; p < 0.01) and the no change group (within +/- 0.15 mm; p < 0.05). Remnant-like lipoprotein particle-cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B levels were also higher in the progression group. However, multiple regression analysis of the progression showed that the progression-regression score was independently correlated with lipoprotein (a) alone (R = 0.50, p < 0.05). This shows that lipoprotein (a) is an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerotic lesion progression over the short term.