Lipoprotein (a) and plasminogen in atherosclerosis

: The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of lipoprotein (a) [LP(a)] and plasminogen in patients affected with atherosclerotic disease and to understand the mutual relationships. Eighty-four patients affected with atherosclerosis were examined and divided as follows: group I, 24 patients with peripheral arteriopathy; group II, 40 patients with ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction and/or angina pectoris); group III, 20 patients with multi-infarct dementia; group IV (control group) with 20 healthy young subjects. The results show that Lp(a) plasma levels, in atherosclerotic patients, are higher than 30 mg/dl, while the plasminogen levels are lower than 80 mg/dl. There is an inverse correlation between these two data. Moreover, a different behaviour of Lp(a) and plasminogen rate related to age of patients, to number of atherosclerotic lesions or to acuteness of ischemic heart disease, was observed.