Apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism: a risk factor for fatal coronary sclerosis?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The association of apoE polymorphism and coronary heart disease has been examined in numerous clinical studies. However, there are only very few autopsy studies on this topic, there having been none in Germany for instance. METHODS: In a retrospective study, we examined 121 cases where the autopsy revealed premature coronary sclerosis. The collected data included the maximum degree of stenosis of the coronary arteries, the body mass index and a potential left heart hypertrophy. Coronary sclerosis was the cause of death in 47 and a relevant secondary finding in 74 of the cases. The control group consisted of 253 healthy blood donors and 79 patients who had undergone cardiac catheterization and did not show coronary macro-angiopathy. Genotyping of apoE polymorphism was performed by using blood. RESULTS: When assessing the influence of apoE genotype or allele no significant influence on premature death was found. However, a subdivision of deceased according to their coronary state showed that the carriers of apoE epsilon4-allele had a higher risk of coronary artery sclerosis with a significantly higher degree of stenosis. CONCLUSION: In cases of fatal premature coronary sclerosis and proven apoE epsilon4-allele, blood relatives should receive advice.