European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Several studies have well established the pathogenic role of low density lipoprotein  (LDL) in coronary artery disease(CAD). Few studies have also been done to show that non- HDL levels , calculated using formula Total cholesterol minus  HDL , could be  a better predictor of coronary artery disease. Greater risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease have been found to be associated with increased homocysteine levels. But studies are inadequate with Indian population to identify these risk factors in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Objectives: The aim of this study is to correlate the LDL, non- HDL and Homocysteine levels in acute coronary syndrome patients(cases) matched with controls in Indian population.

Methods: In this retrospective study,80 cases, aged between 30-60 years, with diagnosis of  acute  coronary syndrome (ACS) admitted to Bharath Superspeciality hospitals and age, gender matched 80 controls , admitted as inpatients for illness other than ACS were selected . Detailed clinical  history and laboratory investigations such as lipid function tests, homocysteine levels were obtained . Quantitative data compared using unpaired t- test and Chi - square test used to compare qualitative data.

Results: Mean values of total cholesterol, LDL , non-HDL cholesterols and serum homocysteine were significantly increased in cases than controls. Odds ratio was highest for Non -HDL cholesterol than all the other parameters measured.

Conclusions: Non-HDL cholesterol proved to a better risk predictor of cardiovascular events compared to LDL, HDL or total cholesterol