Triglycerides and Residual Atherosclerotic Risk in participants with normal LDL-C levels

<p>Background:</p> <p>Even when low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are lower than guideline thresholds, a residual risk of atherosclerosis remains. It is unknown whether triglyceride (TG) levels are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation regardless of LDL-C.</p> <p>Objectives:</p> <p>This study sought to assess the association between serum TG levels and early atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation in apparently healthy individuals.</p> <p>Methods:</p> <p>An observational, longitudinal, and prospective cohort study, was conducted in 3,754 middle-aged individuals with low to moderate cardiovascular risk from the study group called Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis who were consecutively recruited between June 2010 and February 2014.</p> <p>Peripheral atherosclerotic plaques were assessed by 2-dimensional vascular ultrasound, and coronary artery calcification (CAC) was assessed by non-contrast computed tomography, whereas vascular inflammation was assessed by fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography.</p> <p>Results:</p> <p>Atherosclerotic plaques and Coronary Artery Calcification were observed in 58.0% and 16.8% of participants, respectively, whereas vascular inflammation was evident in 46.7% of evaluated participants.</p> <p>After multivariate adjustment, TG levels ≥150 mg/dl showed significant association with subclinical noncoronary atherosclerosis. This association was significant for groups with high LDL-C and normal LDL-C. No association was found between TG level and CAC score.</p> <p>TG levels ≥150 mg/dl were significantly associated with the presence of arterial inflammation</p> <p>Conclusions:</p> <p>In individuals with low to moderate cardiovascular risk, hypertriglyceridemia was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation, even in participants with normal LDL-C levels.</p> <p><br></p> <p>•<strong>Disclaimer:</strong> Lupinmakes no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or im