Association of apolipoprotein (a) phenotype with ischemic heart disease in young men

Relationship between phenotype of apolipoprotein (a) and presence of ischemic heart disease was assessed in 198 men (mean age 53+/-8 years) with >50% stenosis in at least one major coronary artery. Seventy six practically healthy men (mean age 3+/-9 years) served as controls. The level of lipoprotein (a) was significantly higher in patients compared with controls (37+/-31 and 18+/-27 mg/dl, respectively, p<0,05). Low molecular weight phenotypes of apolipoprotein (a) were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls (46 and 29%, respectively p=0,01). Frequency of low molecular weight phenotypes in age groups less than or equal to 45 (n=37), 46-55 (n=83), and >55 (n=78) years was 65, 40, 45%, respectively (differences between patients aged less than or equal to 45 years and 2 other age groups were significant). Among patients with previous myocardial infarction those who were younger 45 years compared with older patients had higher frequencies of low molecular weight phenotypes of apo (a) (70 and 44%, respectively, p=0,02) and hyperlipoproteidemia (53 and 31%, respectively, p=0,04).