Resumen

VARGAS, ME et al. Elevados niveles séricos de lipoproteína (a) en una población afro-venezolana. AVFT [online]. 2005, vol.24, n.1, pp.68-73. ISSN 0798-0264.

High serum Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations are considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lp(a) is not usually included as a marker in the routine measurement of the evaluation and management of cardiovascular disease. The goal of this study was to determine the serum Lp(a) levels in two Venezuela’s population, Maracaibo, a white-hispanic population, and Bobures, an afro-venezuelan population which has a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. A total of 112 subjects, 57 from Maracaibo (aged 41,8 ± 13,5 years) and 55 from Bobures (aged 31,4 ± 17,4 years), were selected randomly. Fasting glycemia, lipid profile and Lp(a) concentrations were measured throughout. Serum Lp(a) was measured using a commercial kit (Heber Biotech BioSCREEN Lp(a), La Habana, Cuba). Serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in Maracaibo than Bobures subjects (p<0.009 and p<0.001 respectively); whereas Lp(a) levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in afro-venezuelan (mean 59.0 mg/dl) than in white-hispanic subjects (mean 29.0 mg/dl). Our results suggest that afro-venezuelan population had high serum Lp(a) and low HDL-cholesterol concentrations which could be related with the high prevalence of mortality from cardiovascular disease in this population.

Palabras clave : Lipoprotein (a); Cardiovascular diseases; Race.