The relationship between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the severity of coronary artery disease in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome

Background The SYNTAX score is a score that grades the severity and complexity of coronary lesions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (triglyceride/HDL-C) ratio and SYNTAX scores in patients presenting with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods This prospective study included 258 patients who presented at our center with STEMI, and underwent coronary angiography (CAG). The triglyceride/HDL-C ratio was calculated, and the relationship of this ratio with the SYNTAX score was determined with univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results The patients were separated into two groups according to the triglyceride/HDL-C ratios as low (<3.88) and high (>= 3.88). The SYNTAX scores of the group with a high triglyceride/HDL-C score were determined to be significantly high (P < 0.001). When the SYNTAX scores were separated into two groups as low (<= 22) and high (>23), a statistically significant correlation was determined between a high SYNTAX score and a high triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis was performed for the SYNTAX score, and the BMI value [odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-0.98] and the triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (OR = 6.86, 95% CI: 3.45-13.65) alone were determined to be independent determinants of the SYNTAX score. Conclusion The most important result obtained from this study was that the triglyceride/HDL-C ratio, which is an index that has recently started to be frequently used, was a marker of greater coronary anatomic complexity (SYNTAX score >22), independently of other parameters in patients who presented with NSTEMI and underwent CAG.