The significance of serum HDL phospholipid levels in angiographically defined coronary artery disease

Objectives: To evaluate discriminant serum lipid components associated with the presence and extent of coronary artery disease, with particular emphasis on the role of HDL phospholipids as an important predictor for disease severity. Design and methods: Total serum lipoprotein and phospholipids levels of 157 adult male patients (grouped based on degree of coronary artery occlusion) who underwent coronary angiography were analyzed. Results: Patients showed elevated triglyceride (P< 0.001) and VLDL (P< 0.001) levels whereas a significant reduction was observed at LDL (P< 0.01), HDL (P< 0.01), and HDL-phospholipids (P< 0.001) concentrations. Correlation with disease progression (from one to three occluded vessels) showed significant rise in levels (P< 0.001) and markedly decreased HDL phospholipids (P< 0.001). Conclusions: Triglyceride levels and HDL phospholipids are better indicators of the presence and extent of coronary artery disease compared to the other lipoproteins studied. Furthermore, the HDL phospholipids/Total Cholesterol ratio is proposed as additional information of the degree of coronary artery occlusion.