Low lipoprotein [a] level as a protective factor against coronary heart disease in patients with liver cirrhosis

ABSTRACT

Patients with liver cirrhosis are known to be at a low risk to develop coronary heart disease [CHD]. Lipoprotein [a] [LP[a]] concentration was studied in twenty patients with liver cirrhosis, twenty patients with established CHD, and ten age-matched controls. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol were measured in all patients and controls. Lp[a] concentration was found to be reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis in comparison with patients with [CHD] and controls. No correlation was found between Lp[a] level and age of the patient, cigarette smoking, obesity, arterial blood pressure, or serum lipids. These data suggest that an increased concentration of Lp[a] constitutes a strong and independent risk factor for CHD. A low concentration of Lp[a] may be one reason why patients liver cirrhosis are less prone to CHD