ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia has been established as a major independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, but the role of hypertriglyceridemia, is still controversial in this regard. Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia has been reported to be a predisposing factor for coronary events. Present study was undertaken to assess postprandial hypertriglyceridemia in non-diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: 60 subjects aged over 35 years, who had undergone coronary angiography, were included in this case-control study. Subjects having secondary hyperlipidemia were excluded. The case group had significant stenosis in at least one coronary artery while the control group had normal coronary arteries on angiography. Triglyceride level was evaluated in fasting non-stressful situation as well as three hours after a heavy breakfast (bread, butter and jam, approximately 460 kcal). It was defined as normal (<150 mg/dl), borderline (150-200 mg/dl) and high (>200 mg/dl) according to NCEP guidelines, 2001. The mean fasting triglyceride level in control and case group was 141+/-54 v. 162+/-60 mg/dl respectively (statistically not significant). The mean postprandial triglyceride level, in control and case group was 163+/-60 v. 265+/-98 mg/dl, respectively (p<0.05). In the case group, 63.3%, 3.3%, and 33.3%, and in the control group 70%, 16.7% and 13.3% had normal, borderline and high fasting triglyceride levels, respectively (p<0.05). 3.3%, 23.3%, 73.3% of the cases and 50%, 36.7%, 13.3% of the controls had normal, borderline and high postprandial triglyceride levels, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Considering that the triglyceride levels were higher in postprandial state, fat tolerance test can be used as a complementary test in evaluation of lipid profile in patients with coronary artery disease with normal fasting triglyceride levels.