OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between lipoprotein (a) (LP(a)) and cerebral infarction in young adults.

METHODSSerum LP(a) of 90 young adults (age below 45 years) with cerebral infarction was measured. Serum lipids include triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were also measured. Other possible risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, drinking and family stroke history were reviewed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of serum LP(a) value between stroke patients and controls. TG (P < 0.01) and ApoB (P < 0.01) values in patients with cerebral infarction were significant higher than those in controls. Lipoprotein (a) was correlated with total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, with the values of correlation coefficient (r) 0.28 and 0.23 (both P < 0.01). After adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, smoking, drinking alcohol, family stroke history and other serum lipids, the odd radio for LP(a) and cerebral infarction was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.27 - 1.98). The odd radio for elevated TG was 3.57 (95% CI: 1.34 - 9.49); The odd ratios for hypertension, heart diseases and smoking as risk factors for cerebral infarction in young patients showed as: hypertension OR = 8.18, 95% CI: 2.54 - 26.33; heart diseases: OR = 8.51, 95% CI: 2.27 - 31.85; smoking: OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.27 - 8.13.

CONCLUSIONLP(a) might not be a risk factor for cerebral infarction in young patients while elevated triglyceride, hypertension, heart diseases and smoking were important risk factors in young adults with cerebral infarction.