Abstract

PurposeThe LipidCardio Study was established for in-depth analyses of cardiovascular risk factors, providing well-defined cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes. Particularly the role of lipoproteins in the pathobiological process and treatment of cardiovascular disease will be a main focus.\n\nParticipants1.005 individuals aged 21 years and older undergoing cardiac catheterization during 17 months at a tertiary academic cardiology center were enrolled. The baseline data set contains detailed phenotyping, broad biochemical parameters, genetic data, but also standardized personal and family history, a screening test for cognitive impairment, pulse wave analysis and measurements of hand grip strength, amongst others. Blood samples were stored in a biobank for future analyses.\n\nFindings to dateThe mean age of the participants at enrolment was 70.9{+/-}11.1 years (70% male). Coronary angiography provided evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in 69.9% of participants. Those with evidence of CAD were significantly more likely to be male, inactive, diabetic and with a family history of cardiovascular disease than participants without CAD.\n\n20% of patients had lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentrations above 106.9 nmol/L (fifth quintile). These patients had significantly increased odds of obstructive CAD compared to participants in quintiles 1-4 (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.48, p=0.005). There was reasonable evidence that with increasing severity of CAD the odds of having elevated Lp(a) increased. We were able to replicate the established strong association between specified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LPA gene (rs10455872, rs3798220 and rs186696265) and the APOE gene (rs7412), and the concentration of Lp(a), validating our phenotype database and biobank.\n\nFuture plansMortality information will be obtained in two-year intervals. Follow-up phone interviews will be conducted at 3, and 6 years after enrolment. We seek to cooperate with other researchers in the field, e.g. by sharing data and biobank samples.\n\nRegistrationnot applicable, purely observational study