Lack of association between low density lipoprotein particle size and on-treatment platelet reactivity in patients with coronary artery disease

Background and objectives: Small dense low density lipoproteins (sd-LDL) are a risk factor for coronary artery disease and are known to stimulate platelet function in vitro. This study aimed to evaluate whether high proportion of sd-LDL is associated with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HOPR).

Subjects and methods: From January 2009 to March 2010, 439 subjects (mean age: 64.3±9.7, Male : Female=306 : 133) were enrolled from the low density LIPOProtein-cholesterol Size measurement Registry with coronary artery disease, who had undergone elective percutaneous coronary intervention and measured both LDL particle size and on-treatment platelet reactivity (OPR). Mean LDL particle size was measured by gradient gel electrophoresis (Quantimetrix, Lipoprint™) and OPR by the VerifyNow™ system (aspirin and P2Y12).

Results: Between pattern A (large, buoyant LDL dominant) and B (sd-LDL dominant) population, there were no significant difference in OPR to aspirin (441.3±71.9 vs. 434.07±63.45 aspirin reaction units, p=0.351) or clopidogrel (237.9±87.3 vs. 244.9±80.7 P2Y12 reaction units, p=0.465). There was no difference in LDL particle size between patients with HOPR compared with non-HOPR patients (aspirin: 26.8±0.5 vs. 26.7±0.6 nm, p=0.078, clopidogrel: 26.7±0.6 vs. 26.8±0.5 nm, p=0.857). Pearson's correlation coefficients between LDL particle size and platelet reactivity were not statistically significant (aspirin assay: r=0.080, p=0.098, P2Y12 assay: r=-0.027, p=0.568).

Conclusion: There was no significant association between LDL particle size and OPR in patients with coronary artery disease.