Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol as a Novel Biomarker of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Objective: To compare serum small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and healthy controls.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi Pakistan, in collaboration with AFIC Rawalpindi from Feb to Dec 2021.

Methodology: A total of 220 participants were selected for the study, 120 healthy controls and 100 CHD patients. Fasting blood samples after 12 hours of fast were collected for lipid profile and small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) levels. SdLDL-C levels were analyzed by automated, standardized enzymatic assay on Siemens Advia 1800 automated chemistry analyzer using Ex Denka Seiken kits.

Results: Among the total participants, 154 (70%) were males, and 66(30%) were females. The median age of all participants was 55(IQR: 52 -56) years, while their median sdLDL-C was 0.93 (IQR: 0.56-1.08) mmol/L. Results showed that small, dense LDL cholesterol serum levels were significantly raised in CHD patients compared to healthy controls (p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: The current study showed that patients with CHD had elevated small, dense LDL-C levels compared to the healthy control group.