Association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 levels with coronary artery disease risk factors, angiographic coronary artery disease, and major adverse events at follow-up

Aims We aimed to evaluate the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, with the severity of angiographic CAD, and with the incidence of major adverse events. Methods and results We measured Lp-PLA2 levels in 504 consecutive patients undergoing clinically indicated coronary angiography. Mean age was 60±11 years and 38% were women. The mean (±SD) Lp-PLA2 level (ng/mL) was 245±91. Lp-PLA2 levels correlated with male gender, LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol, fibrinogen, and creatinine. Lp-PLA2 levels correlated with the extent of angiographic CAD on univariate but not on multivariable analysis. During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 72 major adverse events occurred in 61 of 466 (13%) contacted patients (20 deaths, 14 myocardial infarctions, 28 coronary revascularizations, and 10 strokes). Higher Lp-PLA2 levels were associated with a greater risk of events: the hazard ratio per SD was 1.28 (95% CI 1.06–1.54, P=0.009), and remained significant after adjusting for clinical and lipid variables and C-reactive protein. Conclusion Higher Lp-PLA2 levels were associated with a higher incidence of major adverse events at follow-up, independently of traditional CAD risk factors and C-reactive protein.