Serum lipoprotein (a) and atherosclerotic changes in hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is considered as a risk factor for coronary atherosclerotic disorder and an increase in plasma Lp(a) concentration is usually seen in patients with kidney failure. OBJECTIVES We aimed in this study to evaluate the impact of plasma Lp(a) level on early changes of atherosclerotic vessels in stable hemodialysis (HD) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this clinical study 61 patients (50 non-diabetic (F=20 M=30) and 11 diabetic HD patients), receiving maintenance hemodialysis were included and serum Lp(a) was measured. B-mode ultrasonography of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was also determined. RESULTS The mean ±SD of patients Lp(a) was 58.5±19 mg/dL. The mean ±SD of diabetic patients' Lp(a) was 62±12mg/dL and for nondiabetic ones was 57.7± 20mg/dL. In this study the thickening of Intima-media complex in diabetic group was more than non-diabetics, and no significant difference was found of Lp(a) between diabetic and non diabetic HD patients. There was a significant positive association between serum Lp(a) and cIMT. CONCLUSION Accelerated atherosclerosis seen in diabetic hemodialysis patients. Lp(a) might have an important role in progression of atherosclerosis to accelerate progressive atherosclerosis in these patients.