The value of measuring percent high-density lipoprotein in assessing risk of cardiovascular disease

Abstract

The measurement of high density lipoprotein (HDL) for the purpose of assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease in the individual subject was evaluated. Three laboratory methods were compared, 2 electrophoretic and 1 heparin-manganese precipitation, and the HDL results were expressed both as a percent and as an absolute concentration. In phase 1 of the study, the optimal method and the best cut point were identified. In phase 2, these were applied to a larger population who were assigned, on the basis of clinical criteria, to a coronary heart disease and to a control group. The overall probability of correct classification of an individual by his HDL result was calculated. When HDL was expressed as a percent and determined by gel electrophoresis, 82.6% of control subjects and 83.0% of patients with coronary heart disease were classified correctly using the optimal cut point of 23.5%.