Circulating PCSK9 is lowered acutely following surgery

Background A decrease in serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) is well documented after acute stress. Plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9), which promotes degradation of low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDL‐R) resulting in reduced plasma clearance of low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) and an increase in serum LDL‐C, would be predicted to decrease. Yet, a few studies have demonstrated an increase 1‐8 days after acute stress. Our objective was to assess the earlier status of plasma PCSK9, within the first 24 hours of onset of stress.