The LDL-C/ApoB ratio predicts major cardiovascular events in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Background and aims: The low density lipoprotein cholesterol to Apolipoprotein B (LDL-C/ApoB) ratio is a validated proxy for low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size that can be easily calculated from a standard lipid/apolipoprotein profile. Whether it is predictive of cardiovascular events in patients with established atherosclerosis is not known and is addressed in the present investigation.

Methods: We determined the LDL-C/ApoB ratio in a cohort of 1687 subjects with established atherosclerosis. Prospectively, major cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke were recorded over a period of 9.9 ± 4.6 years. The study covers >16,000 patient-years.

Results: At baseline, the LDL-C/ApoB ratio was 1.36 ± 0.28 in our cohort. During follow up, a total of 558 first MACE were recorded. The LDL-C/ApoB ratio predicted MACE in univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis (HR 0.90 [0.82-0.98]; p = 0.014); this finding was confirmed after adjustment for age, gender, intensity of statin treatment, hypertension, history of smoking, type 2 diabetes, body mass index and ApoB (HR 0.87 [0.78-0.97]; p = 0.013).

Conclusions: The LDL-C/ApoB ratio is independently predictive of MACE in subjects with established atherosclerosis.