Castelli Index and estimative of LDL c particle size may still help in the clinical practice?
Background: There are many factors affecting the maintenance of a healthy in the population without coronary artery disease as plasmatic lipids and anthropometric parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the Castelli Index I, Castelli Index II and the estimated size of the LDL c particle with the presence of Coronary Artery Disease risk factors in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Methods: Anthropometric (waist circumference and body mass index) and biochemical parameters (glycaemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL c, HDL c and high sensitivity C reactive protein) from 95 patients undergoing coronary arteriography were collected. Castelli Index I (TC/HDL c) Castelli Index II (LDL c/HDL c) and the estimate of LDL particle size (TG/HDL c) were calculated. Results: Our findings show that, in general, for abnormal values of the three rations cited above, there was a positive correlation with increased levels of serum lipids and that there are high percentages of subjects with increased values of WC, BMI and hsCRP and also the presence of MS, physical inactivity and family story of heart disease. Most patients with severe lesions in the arteries presented altered Castelli Index II and small dense LDL c particle. Conclusion: The use of these tree ratios may represent simple parameters for estimating cardiovascular risks patients with heart disease diagnosis in order to work on secondary prevention. Key words: HDL c, LDL c, Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol, Coronary Angiography.