Atherogenic Index of Plasma Linked With Risk for Carotid Atherosclerosis

The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), calculated as the logarithm of triglycerides divided by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, was significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) risk and progression, according to the results of a recent study published in BMJ Open.

Hiu Li, of The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China, and colleagues conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the association between AIP and incidence and progression of CAS.

They enrolled 528 participants who underwent routine health screening at the Health Management Center of Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital. Participants were grouped by quartile level of AIP, which studies have shown has predictive significance related to “the likelihood of arterial stiffness, atherosclerotic disease, acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and major adverse cardiovascular events.”

In this study, AIP was positively associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaques. There appeared to be a linear association with AIP quartiles and CIMT progression, with the highest quartiles having increased risk for CIMT progression compared with the lowest quartile (hazard ratio=2.45; 95% CI, 1.16-5.19; P<.05). No association was found for the middle two quartiles.

Additionally, the highest AIP quartile was associated with carotid plaque progression compared with the lowest quartile (HR=2.97; 95% CI, 1.39-6.35).

“We found that the high-increasing trajectory of the AIP was associated with CAS progression,” the researchers wrote. “These results indicate that AIP is a robust predictor of incident CAS and may serve as a simple and effective indicator for assessing the risk of CAS.”

Based on these results, the researchers recommended that AIP be closely monitored as part of routine health screenings in order “to identify the development of carotid atherosclerotic plaques for effective prevention and treatment.”