The LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio and the severity of coronary and aortic atherosclerosis

摘要

The LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (LDL/HDL-cholesterol) ratio is recognized as a stronger risk predictor of cardiovascular diseases than LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels [1,2]. The close correlation between the LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio and the severity of coronary artery stenosis is also reported [3]. However, the association between the LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio and aortic atherosclerosis has not been elucidated yet. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool for non-invasively evaluating atherosclerotic plaques in both the thoracic and abdominal aorta [4-7]. Regarding this MRI method, we [8] and others [9] showed good correlations for the aortic plaque extent between the in vivo and ex vivo MRI findings and histopathology in animal models. In humans, we reported that MRI evaluations of the thoracic aorta closely correlated with TEE findings [6].