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Relation of cholesterol and lipoprotein parameters with carotid artery plaque characteristics: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) carotid MRI study

SS Virani, DJ Catellier, LA Pompeii, V Nambi... - Atherosclerosis, 2011 - Elsevier Objective There is a paucity of data regarding relations of apolipoproteins (apolipoprotein B [Apo B] and apolipoprotein A-1 [Apo A-1]), lipoprotein particle measures (low-density lipoprotein particle concentration [LDLp] and high-density lipoprotein particle ...

There is a paucity of data regarding relations of apolipoproteins (apolipoprotein B [Apo B] and apolipoprotein A-1 [Apo A-1]), lipoprotein particle measures (low-density lipoprotein particle concentration [LD Lp] and high-density lipoprotein particle concentration [HD Lp]), and lipoprotein cholesterol measures (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [non-HDL-C], and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) with atherosclerotic plaque burden, plaque eccentricity, and lipid-rich core presence as a marker of high-risk plaques.

Carotid artery magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 1670 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study participants. Vessel wall and lipid cores were measured; normalized wall index (NWI), standard deviation (SD) of wall thickness (measure of plaque eccentricity) were calculated; and lipid cores were detected in vessels with ≥1.5 mm thickness. Fasting concentrations of cholesterol, Apo B and Apo A-1, and LD Lp and HD Lp were measured.

Measures of plaque burden (carotid wall volume, wall thickness, and NWI) were positively associated with atherogenic cholesterol and lipoproteins (p < 0.05 for total cholesterol, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, Apo B, and LD Lp), but not with HDL-C, Apo A-1, or HD Lp. SD of wall thickness was associated with total cholesterol (p 0.01) and non-HDL-C (p 0.02). Although measures of atherogenic or anti-atherogenic cholesterol or lipoprotein were not individually associated with detection of a lipid-rich core, their ratios (total cholesterol/HDL-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, and LD Lp/HD Lp) were associated with lipid-rich core presence (p ≤ 0.05).