OBJECTIVE: This study focused on the correlations of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and angiotensin II (Ang II) levels with the severity of coronary artery stenosis (CAS) in elderly patients with suspected coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was conducted on 228 elderly patients suspected of CHD. Their clinical data were collected. Patients were grouped by CHD diagnosis and by CAS severity. Correlation analyses were performed between Lp-PLA2, Ang II, lipid profiles, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Influencing factors for moderate-to-severe CAS in elderly patients were identified by univariate/multivariate logistic regression models. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze diagnostic performance for the severity of CAS in elderly patients. RESULTS: Lp-PLA2 and Ang II levels were notably elevated in patients with CHD and were positively associated with the severity of CAS. Lp-PLA2 level correlated with lipid levels. Both Lp-PLA2 and Ang II were correlated with AIP. Elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 and Ang II were independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe CAS in elderly patients. Both Lp-PLA2 and Ang II demonstrated certain diagnostic value for identifying moderate-to-severe CAS in this population. The combination of Lp-PLA2 and Ang II demonstrated diagnostic performance comparable to AIP and superior to either marker alone for identifying moderate-to-severe CAS. CONCLUSIONS: Lp-PLA2 and Ang II are closely associated with AIP in elderly patients with CHD, are independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe CAS, and may serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and risk stratification.
Yao et al. (2026) studied this question.