Correlates of Risk Factors in Arteriosclerosis Obliterans Confirmed by Angiographic by Angiographic and Operative Examination

Lipid and lipoprotein levels as well as certain other risk factors were studied in 35 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (confirmed by angiographic and operative examination). Seventy-two asymptomatic normal subjects sevred as controls. The mean serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in control subjects were 168±31 mg/dl and 144±81 mg/dl respectively. In patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans, these values were 191±44 mg/dl, and 183±76 mg/dl. Significant differences existed in the mean serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels between two groups. The mean LDL-cholesterol, Apo-B levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. HDL-cholesterol and Apo-A1 levels were signifiantly lower in patients than in controls. Patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans were characterized as follows: 77 % were smokers, 37 % were hypertensive, 14 % were obese, and 5.7 % had diabetes. The HDL-C levels were significantly lower in controls who smoked than in non-smoking control subjects; this may indirectly explain the reduced HDL ratio in patients with obstructive peripheral vascular disease, most of whom were smokers.