Lipid risk factors for atherosclerotic carotid artery disease in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

SUMMARY: We investigated the relationship between abnormalities of lipid metabolism and carotid atherosclerosis in 20 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (11 men and nine women). Carotid ultrasonography was used to determine the combined thickness of the intima and media (I‐M thickness). the apo A‐I/apo B ratio showed a significant negative correlation with I‐M thickness ( P <0.05). In the patients with carotid plaque, the triglycerides (TG) level and the remnant‐like particle cholesterol level (RLP‐C) were significantly higher than in the patients without plaque ( P <0.05), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the apo AI/apo B ratio were significantly lower than in the patients without plaque ( P <0.05). Moreover, there was a strong relationship between the severity of plaque and TG, the apo AI/apo B ratio, and RLP‐C. Thus, abnormal lipid metabolism may contribute to progressive atherosclerosis, while TG, the apo AI/apo B ratio, and RLP‐C. levels may be useful indicators of atherosclerotic risk in peritoneal dialysis patients.