中老年2型糖尿病患者脑血管疾病危险因素分析

目的探讨中老年2型糖尿病患者的脑血管疾病危险因素以及聚集性。方法采用横断面调查研究,选取中老年2型糖尿病患者1025例,进行问卷调查、体格检查以及血液检查。结果年龄(OR=1.06,P0.05)、性别(OR=1.54,P0.05)、高血压病(OR=1.62,P0.05)、饮食偏咸(OR=1.61,P0.05)、空腹血糖(OR=1.13,P0.05)、总胆固醇(OR=1.38,P0.05)差异均有统计学意义。以0个危险因素组为基数,1个、2个、≥3个危险因素组发生2型糖尿病合并脑血管疾病的危险性分别是0个危险因素组的2.33倍、3.01倍、4.72倍。结论年龄、性别、高血压疾病、饮食偏咸、空腹血糖、总胆固醇等因素是2型糖尿病合并脑血管疾病的危险因素。2型糖尿病合并脑血管疾病危险因素之间存在聚集性,应综合防治。     

某铁路局职工高血压患病状况分析

目的 分析某铁路局职工高血压患病情况,为在本系统内开展高血压健康管理提供依据.方法 选取2015-2019年某铁路局参与健康体检的24 314名在职职工为研究对象,分析高血压患病情况及相关影响因素.结果 该铁路系统职工年龄20～59岁,其中40岁～年龄组人数最多、占在职职工总数的45.0％;以男性居多、占总人数的82.1％;近五年职工高血压总患病率整体呈上升趋势(趋势x2=383.616,P＜0.001),男性患病率(43.1％)高于女性(23.0％),同全人群性别患病情况一致,且不同年龄组男女差异有统计学意义(x2=1 089.942,P＜0.001);与20岁～组相比,其他年龄组患高血压风险性高(OR＞1,P＜0.001),且呈现OR值随年龄增长而上升的趋势;男性高血压患病风险是女性的1.570倍(x2=113.483,P＜0.001);与体重指数(BMI)小于18.5 kg/m2组相比,24.0～27.9 kg/m2及≥28 kg/m2组BMI的OR＞1 (P＜0.001).结论 该铁路系统职工高血压患病率呈上升趋势,男性高于女性;年龄、超重和肥胖仍是职工患高血压病的危险因素.     

老年腹膜透析患者心脏瓣膜钙化的危险因素

目的探讨维持性腹膜透析的老年患者心脏主动脉瓣和二尖瓣钙化发病可能的危险因素。方法对48例老年腹透患者采用超声心动图检查心脏瓣膜钙化情况同时搜集患者的生化结果以及透析相关指标,应用Logistic回归分析主动脉瓣和二尖瓣钙化的危险因素。结果在入选的48例老年透析患者中,28例存在主动脉瓣或二尖瓣钙化,主动脉瓣钙化27例,二尖瓣钙化12例,其中包括主动脉和二尖瓣双瓣膜钙化11例,多因素Logistic回归分析表明,钙磷乘积(OR=2.718,P=0.014)、前白蛋白(OR=0.809,P=0.006)与主动脉瓣钙化独立相关,年龄(OR=1.447,P=0.016)、钙磷乘积(OR=3.675,P=0.003)、高密度脂蛋白(OR=5.898,P=0.020)、糖尿病史(OR=3.830,P=0.017)与二尖瓣钙化独立相关。结论老年腹透患者心脏瓣膜钙化发病率高,其中以主动脉瓣钙化更多见,钙磷乘积、低前白蛋白血症是主动脉瓣钙化的独立危险因素,年龄、钙磷乘积、高密度脂蛋白、糖尿病史是二尖瓣钙化的独立危险因素。     

脑梗死患者的颈动脉斑块特点及相关危险因素的回归分析

目的探讨颈动脉斑块与脑梗死的关系及其相关危险因素分析。方法选择动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者205例(脑梗死组)和非脑梗死患者88例(对照组)进行颈动脉超声检查,比较两组颈动脉斑块的数目和性质;将脑梗死组患者再分为斑块组163例和无斑块组42例2个亚组,比较两组性别、年龄、吸烟史、酗酒史、高血压、糖尿病和血脂等危险因素,并进行单因素分析和logistm多元回归分析。结果脑梗死组颈动脉粥样硬化斑块检出率为163例(79.5%)。对照组为56例(63.6%)。差异显著(P<0.05),其中脑梗死组患者软斑数为111个(42.1%)。斑块组男性、年龄、酗酒史和高血压比例均显著高于无斑块组(P<0.05)。logistic回归分析显示,男性(OR=2.206,P=0.013)、年龄(OR=0.088,P=0.025)和高血压(OR=3.605,P=0.001)3项因素差异显著。结论颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与脑梗死发生关系密切;男性、年龄和高血压可能为颈动脉斑块形成的独立危险因素。     

冠状动脉狭窄程度与冠心病危险因素的相关性分析

目的探讨冠状动脉狭窄程度与冠心病危险因素的相关性。方法连续性收集我科行冠状动脉造影的患者121例,根据造影结果,将患者分为冠心病组89例与对照组32例。收集2组患者临床、实验室和影像学资料,采用单因素和多因素logistic回归模型进行分析。结果冠心病组男性、糖尿病、吸烟比例和LDL-C水平均高于对照组,HDL-C水平低于对照组(P<0.05);多因素logistic回归分析示,糖尿病(OR=3.769,P=0.042)、LDL-C水平(OR=1.873,P=0.021)是冠心病的独立危险因素。中、重度冠状动脉狭窄患者吸烟比例均高于轻度狭窄者,中度狭窄患者男性比例、年龄与尿酸水平和重度狭窄患者高血压、糖尿病比例均高于轻度狭窄者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);logistic回归分析示,年龄(OR=1.094,P=0.001)、高血压(OR=3.340,P=0.003)、糖尿病(OR=3.877,P=0.003)和吸烟(OR=4.536,P=0.003)与冠状动脉狭窄程度相关。结论冠心病的危险因素与冠状动脉狭窄程度存在显著相关性,其中糖尿病是两者共同的重要危险因素。     

惠州市中青年教师体检发现的高血压发病特点及影响因素

目的:探讨中青年教师体检发现的高血压发病特点及影响因素。方法:选择惠州市10 581名中青年教师作为研究对象,通过体检、问卷调查收集资料,对中青年教师进行高血压病Logistic单因素、多因素回归分析。结果:10 581名中青年教师中,高血压病3166例,患病率为29.92%。Logistic单因素回归分析显示,男性、年龄45岁以上、体质指数28kg/m~2以上、烟龄20年以上、高血压病家族史是中青年教师高血压病的危险因素(OR=1.568~9.525,P均=0.001);有运动习惯、日饮水量1000ml以上,为中青年教师高血压病的保护因素(OR=0.117、0.172,P均=0.001)。Logistic多因素回归分析显示,男性、年龄45岁以上、烟龄20年以上、高血压病家族史是中青年教师高血压病的独立危险因素(OR=5.728~11.928,P均=0.001);日饮水量1000ml以上为中青年教师高血压病的独立保护因素(OR=8.112,P=0.001)。结论:中青年教师高血压病患病比例颇高,应加强健康教育,定期组织体检,纠正不良生活习惯,积极开展高血压等慢性病防治工作。     

新疆伊犁地区锡伯族居民糖尿病患病率及危险因素调查

采用分层整群随机抽样方法,抽取2015年2月~2015年12月新疆伊犁察布查尔地区的8个区内2400名15岁以上本地常住锡伯族居民进行横断面调查,多因素非条件Logstic回归方法筛选糖尿病危险因素。结果该族人群糖尿病患病率为5.04%,其中男性为6.97%,女性3.60%,男性高于女性(χ~2=12.0674,P0.05)。患病率随BMI增加呈上升趋势(χ~2=18.244,P0.05);随中心性肥胖呈上升趋势(χ~2=19.448,P0.05)。高血压病人高于非高血压人群(χ~2=16.639,P0.05)。Logstic回归显示:年龄(OR=1.660,P0.05)、吸烟(OR=1.467,P0.05)、饮食(OR=2.051,P0.05)和中心性肥胖(OR=2.113,P0.05)是锡伯族人患糖尿病的独立危险因素。     

膝关节骨性关节炎的性别差异及相关因素

目的探讨膝关节骨性关节炎与性别及其他因素之间的关系。方法选择320例膝关节骨性关节炎患者为研究对象,对所有病历资料进行回顾性分析,运用非条件Logistic回归分析患者性别、年龄和代谢因素,确定膝关节骨性关节炎的危险因素。结果女性患者是男性的2.95倍,男性患者中显著性因素是肥胖(P=0.012)、血脂异常(P=0.028)和高血压(P=0.01),女性患者为肥胖(P=0.022)、高血压(P=0.029)和糖尿病(P=0.024);多因素非条件Logistic线性回归分析结果显示,患者性别(OR=8.162)、肥胖(OR=7.225)、高血压(OR=5.683)和糖尿病(OR=5.017)的关系密切,与年龄、病程、遗传、吸烟和嗜酒等不良习惯无关。结论膝关节骨性关节炎患者中女性比例多于男性,糖尿病、肥胖、高血压等代谢性紊乱都是膝关节骨性关节炎的危险因素,中老年人要做好预防。     

井下环境因素与矿工高血压病相关性研究

目的 了解井下环境因素与煤矿工人高血压病的相关性.方法 采用整体随机抽样,对比井下工人1736例及地面工人825例高血压病发病情况.结果 井下工人高血压患病率显著高于地面工人(23.91%与15.52%,χ2=23.56,P<0.001),井下工人患高血压病的危险性是地面工人的1.7倍(OR=1.71,95%CI 1.38-2.13).井下工人高血压患病率随井下工龄的增长而增加(χ2=37.0,P<0.001).logistic回归分析显示,井下环境因素与矿工高血压病密切相关(OR=1.05,95%CI1.02-1.08).结论 井下工作环境是矿工高血压病发病的重要危险因素.     

心房颤动患者29495例缺血性卒中危险因素回顾性分析

目的分析心房颤动(atrial fibrillation,AF)患者发生缺血性卒中可能的危险因素。方法回顾性分析1991年1月至2015年12月在广东省人民医院出院诊断为AF的住院病历共计29495例,选取AF患者因缺血性卒中入院或住院期间有新发缺血性卒中事件的患者入组为病例组,而将其余AF患者作为对照组。以5年为一个时间段,观察一般情况(年龄、性别)及合并疾病[原发性高血压(高血压)、糖尿病、心力衰竭、风湿性心脏病、慢性阻塞性肺病、血脂异常、冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)、既往缺血性卒中、其他血管疾病(除心脑血管疾病)、甲状腺功能亢进、瓣膜置换及其他手术病史]与缺血性卒中的关系及年份间变化的情况。结果在1990年至2015年期间,住院AF患者总数增长了6.2倍。AF并发症患病率:高血压、糖尿病、冠心病、心肌病、血脂异常、慢性阻塞性肺病及缺血性卒中呈上升趋势,风湿性心脏病、瓣膜置换、心力衰竭呈下降趋势。采用相关性分析并计算相关系数(odd ratio,OR),结果显示年龄≥75岁,高血压、血脂异常,糖尿病、冠心病、既往缺血性卒中病史及其他血管疾病是AF患者新发缺血性卒中的危险因素且均有统计学意义(OR值1,P0.05)。女性(OR=0.994,P=0.898)、心力衰竭(OR=0.38,P0.001)及风湿性心脏病(OR=0.623,P0.001)不是缺血性卒中的危险因素。结论 AF住院患者合并缺血性卒中比例均呈明显上升趋势,可能与年龄≥75岁,高血压、血脂异常,糖尿病、冠心病、既往缺血性卒中病史及其他血管疾病等密切相关,控制相关危险因素应成为减少AF缺血性卒中的重要干预手段。     

Aortic valve sclerosis is associated with an echocardiographically determined thinner aortic wall

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The aortic valve leaflets plus the aorta and sinuses of Valsalva are a functional unit that optimizes distribution of the diastolic pressure load on the aortic valve leaflets. The study aim was to examine the hypothesis that echocardiographically measured parameters of aortic wall stress at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva, namely aortic wall thickness and luminal diameter, are associated with the presence of aortic valve sclerosis (AVS). METHODS: Among 103 patients (age range 60-70 years) referred for echocardiography at a university hospital, 59 with AVS were compared to an age-matched control group (n = 44) with no echocardiographic abnormalities. Subjects with congenital bicuspid aortic valves were excluded from the study. Transthoracic echocardiographically obtained digital loop recordings were reviewed and two-dimensionally guided measurements were made at the level of the aortic annulus and sinus of Valsalva using electronic calipers, from the parasternal long-axis view. RESULTS: There was a significant linear relationship and direct correlation between aortic root diameter at the sinus of Valsalva and body surface area (BSA) (r = 0.488, F = 31.6, p < 0.001) in both the AVS (r = 0.491, F = 18.1, p < 0.001) and control (r = 0.571; F = 20.3; p < 0.001) groups. After adjusting for BSA, aortic wall thickness was significantly (p < 0.05) smaller in AVS patients compared to controls. Luminal diameter was not significantly different between the two groups. The specificity of the relationship with sinus of Valsalva wall thickness was confirmed by an absence of any difference in aortic root thickness at the level of the aortic annulus in AVS compared to controls. CONCLUSION: AVS is associated with a thinner aortic wall at the level of the sinus of Valsalva. This novel finding suggests that a thinner aortic wall, a reflection of its constituents, likely acting through its contribution to reduced aortic compliance and increased aortic stress, leads to the thickening of aortic valve leaflets characteristic of AVS. Further understanding of this relationship may unravel the pathophysiology of this type of aortic valve disease.     

C-reactive protein in predicting coronary artery disease in subjects with aortic valve sclerosis before diagnostic coronary angiography

BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have suggested that aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) shares common histologic features with atherosclerosis and is an indicator of significant coronary artery disease (CAD), many patients with aortic valve disease do not have coexisting coronary atherosclerotic disease and vice versa. It is important to find the subjects with AVS who are most likely to have concomitant CAD and require aggressive evaluation. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that the systemic inflammatory marker, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), may be associated with AVS, and may be helpful before coronary angiography in identifying the presence of concomitant CAD in patients with AVS. METHODS: This study included 227 patients with suspected CAD undergoing transthoracic echocardiography and coronary angiography. AVS was defined as a focal area of increased echogenicity and thickening of the aortic valve leaflets without restriction in motion. Data of atherosclerotic risk factors including hs-CRP were collected. RESULTS: Technically satisfactory ultrasound recordings were obtained in 217 subjects (96% of enrolled patients). Patients with AVS were older (65+/-10 vs. 60+/-10 years old; P=0.0004), had higher serum creatinine levels (115.2+/-79.7 vs. 88.6 +/-35.4 micromol/L; P=0.04), and had greater prevalence of obstructive CAD (75% vs. 53%; P=0.001) than those with normal aortic valves. CRP levels were not associated with AVS, and failed to predict concomitant CAD in patients with AVS. Additionally, none of the established risk factors were independent predictors of the presence of CAD in AVS patients. CONCLUSION: Hs-CRP levels appear to not be associated with AVS, and are of little value in terms of predicting the presence of concurrent CAD before coronary procedure.     

Experimental aortic valve stenosis in rabbits

OBJECTIVES: We studied a known rabbit model of atherosclerosis to assess the effect of a hypercholesterolemic diet on aortic valve morphology and function. We also evaluated the effects of the combination of this diet with vitamin D supplements on the development of the disease and the occurrence of valve calcification. BACKGROUND: Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is the most common valvular heart disease. Recent observations have suggested a link between atherosclerosis and the development of AVS. However, until now, there has been no solid direct proof of this potential link. METHODS: Rabbits were divided in three groups: 1) no treatment; 2) cholesterol-enriched diet (0.5% cholesterol); and 3) cholesterol-enriched diet plus vitamin D(2) (50,000 IU/day). Echocardiographic assessment of the aortic valve was done at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. The aortic valve area (AVA) and maximal and mean transvalvular gradients were recorded and compared over time. RESULTS: Control animals displayed no abnormalities of the aortic valve. Despite important increases in blood total cholesterol levels, animals in group 2 did not develop any significant functional aortic valve abnormality over 12 weeks. However, eight of 10 of the animals in group 3 developed a significant decrease in AVA (p = 0.004) and significant increases in transvalvular gradients (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a potential link between atherosclerosis and the development of AVS. The differences noted between hypercholesterolemic animals with or without vitamin D(2) supplementation imply a significant role of calcium in the development of AVS, meriting further attention.     

Inflammation, infection, and aortic valve sclerosis; Insights from the Olmsted County (Minnesota) population

Atherosclerosis-related mechanisms, including inflammation and possibly infection, are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease. The purpose of this study was to examine whether systemic inflammatory markers and Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity are associated with aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) in a sample of the general population. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 381 subjects (median age: 67 years, range: 51-101; 52% men), a sample of the adult population in Olmsted County, Minnesota. The associations between systemic inflammatory markers (blood counts, including white blood cells differential counts, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]), C. pneumoniae immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers, and AVS were examined. AVS was present in 140 subjects (37% of the population). After adjustment for age, sex, and smoking status: (1). hs-CRP was associated with AVS (odds ratio: 1.20 per two-fold increase in hs-CRP; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.43; P = 0.04) but this association was not significant after adjustment for additional risk factors for AVS, including body mass index (P = 0.52). (2). Blood counts and fibrinogen were not associated with AVS (P-values >0.30). (3). C. pneumoniae IgG antibody titers (low [1:16-1:32], intermediate [1:64-1:128], or high [>or=1:256] titers, compared with titers <1:16) were not associated with AVS (P = 0.21). In conclusion, hs-CRP is weakly associated with AVS, an association that is not independent of other AVS risk factors. Blood counts, fibrinogen, and C. pneumoniae seropositivity are not associated with AVS. These findings suggest that other non-inflammatory non-infectious mechanisms are likely to have a role in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease.     

Relation of aortic valve sclerosis to carotid artery intima-media thickening in healthy subjects

We studied 252 healthy adults by echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography to determine the relation between early subclinical aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Carotid IMT was significantly greater in subjects with AVS than in those without AVS. There was a significant correlation between the grade of AVS and carotid IMT.     

Side-specific expression of activated leukocyte adhesion molecule (ALCAM; CD166) in pathosusceptible regions of swine aortic valve endothelium

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS), an early form of aortic valve disease, develops preferentially on the aortic side of valve leaflets, a predilection that is reflected in an heterogeneous side-specific gene expression profile. It has been ascertained that hypercholesterolemia is sufficient to initiate the endothelial expression of activated leukocyte adhesion molecule (ALCAM; CD166), restricted to the aortic side of the leaflet. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) or vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)--both of which are more typically associated with early arterial inflammation--are not differentially expressed. ALCAM up-regulation by hypercholesterolemia suggests a side-specific spatial role in the recruitment of leukocytes to AVS sites.     

Aortic pulse wave velocity in subjects with aortic valve sclerosis

Background: Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality. The measurement of pulse‐wave velocity (PWV) is the most simple, noninvasive, and robust method to determine aortic stiffness. Whether aortic stiffness contributes to aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between PWV and AVS in subjects free of clinically evident atherosclerotic disease. Methods: We enrolled 62 patients (48 men; age 65 ± 8 years) diagnosed with AVS and an additional 62 age‐, hypertension‐, diabetes mellitus‐, and history of smoking‐matched subjects without AVS. Applanation tonometry was applied to assess the augmentation index and aortic PWV. The subjects with symptomatic vascular disease were excluded from the study. AVS was defined by echocardiography as thickening and calcification of the normal trileaflet aortic valve without obstruction to the left ventricular outflow. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the aortic PWV and augmentation index (11.7±3.3 vs 11.8±3.7, P=0.85; 28.0±9.4 vs 25.0±8.6, P=0. 17, respectively). The presence of AVS was significantly correlated with ejection fraction (r=0.211, P=0.011), male gender (r=0.362, P=0.0001), and age (r=0.200, P=0.026). Conclusions: The lack of an association between the aortic PWV and AVS suggests that AVS is a complex phenomenon consisting of several distinct processes, related to both atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic processes.     

Clinical and echocardiographic correlates of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with aortic valve stenosis and normal left ventricular ejection fraction

Background: Several studies suggest that BNP testing may help define the timing of aortic valve surgery in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS) prior onset of overt LV systolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to identify clinical and echocardiographic correlates of plasma BNP levels in a large cohort of patients with AVS and preserved LV ejection fraction. Method and results: One hundred thirty‐five consecutive patients were prospectively included in the present study (Mean age 73 ± 13 years old, 66 (49%) male). Eighty‐nine patients (66%) had severe AVS (aortic valve area <0.6 cm²/m² BSA). Plasma BNP levels, clinical and comprehensive Doppler echocardiography evaluation was performed in all patients. Independent clinical correlates of plasma BNP levels (R²= 0.19) were older age (P < 0.0001) and presence of AVS symptoms (P = 0.004). Independent echocardiographic correlates of plasma BNP levels (R²= 0.38) were E/Ea ratio (P = 0.01), LV mass index (P = 0.018), left atrial surface (P < 0.0001) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP; P = 0.004). Overall, independent correlates of plasma BNP levels (R²= 0.47) were older age (P = 0.001), known coronary artery disease (P = 0.047), increased LV mass index (P = 0.001), left atrial enlargement (P = 0.002), and increased sPAP (P = 0.003). Conclusions: In patients with AVS and normal LV ejection fraction, plasma BNP predominantly reflects the clinical and echocardiographic consequences of afterload burden imposed on the left ventricle rather than the severity of valve stenosis, per se. (Echocardiography 2011;28:695‐702)     

Timing of surgery in aortic stenosis

Opinion statement Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) usually results from three distinct processes (degenerativecalcific, rheumatic, and congenital), with a final common pathway of significant aortic outflow tract obstruction. The stenotic lesion tends to progress slowly, but once symptoms develop clinical deterioration can ensue rapidly. Chest pain, dyspnea, and syncope are the most common symptoms of significant AVS. Detection of symptoms, subtle or obvious, is critical to the management of AVS because their presence portends a worse overall prognosis and is an indication for intervention. There are several special clinical scenarios that require added consideration, including individuals with concomitant coronary artery disease, the presence of a relatively small transvalvular pressure gradient in the setting of low cardiac output (so-called low-gradient AVS), and elderly with severe AVS. Surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the mainstay treatment for relief of obstruction in patients with symptomatic AVS. Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty is reserved for the small minority of patients who are not surgical candidates and is associated with a high restenosis rate. Percutaneous AVR is a new technology that is being tested in a few select centers on patients who are not operative candidates.     

Can serum lipid and CRP levels predict the "severity" of aortic valve stenosis?

BACKGROUND: Results of the studies performed have suggested that hypercholesterolaemia and inflammation are important aetiologic factors in aortic valve stenosis (AVS). However up to now no such data has been obtained to evaluate whether these predictors may still serve as valuable tools to estimate the progression and severity of AVS. If factors contributing to the "progression" of degenerative process can be understood and preventive measures can be taken, both clinical and economical beneficial effects can be achieved. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation of serum cholesterol, triglyceride and CRP levels with the severity of aortic stenosis echocardiographically evaluated in patients with aortic valve stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Aortic valvular areas of 60 patients (pts) hospitalized in our clinic with suspected AVS were calculated with Doppler echocardiography. Patients were grouped into mild, moderate and advanced AVS, each category containing 20 pts, and then were subclassified regarding those with and without coronary artery disease (CAD). RESULTS: Total cholesterol and CRP levels were found to be 215+/-42 mg/dl and 2.0+/-1.4 mg/dl; 224+/-43 mg/dl and 2.4+/-2.1 mg/dl; 225+/-55 mg/dl and 2.7+/-2.1 mg/dl in pts with mild, moderate and advanced AVS, respectively. A statistically significant difference was not detected among the three groups (p>0.05). When subclasses were classified the levels were found to be much more increased in those patients having additional CAD. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that severity of AVS does not correlate significantly with hypercholesterolaemia and CRP and their levels do not rise in accordance with increasing severity of AVS. Elevations of lipid levels in AVS were found to correlate with the presence of CAD rather than the severity of AVS. So, not in patients with simply AVS but in patients under higher cardiovascular risks, investigation of CRP plus lipid levels might provide benefit with respect to preventive treatment and benefit from cholesterol-lowering drugs can be expected in such kind of patients.