APO B/APO AI Ratio with Coronary Artery Disease with Normal Lipid Profile in the Indian Population.

Background: Abnormal lipids are an important risk factor for development of Coronary Artery Disease, significant patients have normal lipid profile and yet develop CAD. Apolipoproteins B, Apolipoproteins A and their ratio have been shown to be better predictor of risk of developing Coronary artery disease.
Objective: Assess the Apo B / Apo A ratio with coronary artery disease in patients with normal lipid profile.
Methods and Results: In 4232 patients with history of CAD 3724(88 %) had abnormal apo b / apo a ratio. Of 2920 patients with normal LDL levels (<100 mg), 2454 patients had abnormal apob/apoa ratio of which 2200 (91%) had CAD. In 1946 patients on lipid lowering agents 1819 had abnormal apo b/ apo a ratio and all had CAD.
Conclusion: This study ascertains the importance Apo B, Apo A ratio over conventional lipid profile values for predicting CAD and its severity. Apo B/ Apo A ratio and CAD was found to be significant in patients with normal LDL, even in patients with history of dyslipidemia on statins this ratio was significant. Statins have been effective in lowering LDL, but have not shown changes in Apo B levels. Apo B and Apo A should be used to assess the atherogenic potential of lipid disorders.
(© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)