ABSTRACT

Objective:

Hyperlipidemia is a well-known metabolic indicator of cardiovascular risk, but its role in pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not yet been fully determined. Therefore, we evaluated whether the levels of total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/HDL, and triglyceride/HDL, which are new applications in clinical practice, change in patients with PH.

Material and Methods:

Eighty-nine males (51.7%) and 83 females (48.3%) with systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) of 40 mmHg and above, who underwent transthoracic echocardiography, were included in the study. Ratios of TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, and triglyceride/HDL were obtained from the fasting blood biochemistry values of the patients. These values were statistically compared using the SPSS 21 program.

Results:

A statistically significant positive correlation was found between sPAP values obtained echocardiographically and the ratios of TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, and triglyceride/HDL (respectively; p<0.001, r=0.285; p<0.001, r=0.310; and p=0.035, r=0.161). The likelihood of severe PH (sPAP ≥60 mmHg) was predicted with TK/HDL ratio (≥4.1) with 64% sensitivity - 54% specificity, LDL/HDL ratio (≥2.6) with 60% sensitivity - 56% specificity, and triglyceride/HDL ratio (≥2.7) with 60% sensitivity - 51% specificity (respectively, p<0.001, p=0.002, p=0.024).

Conclusions:

In conclusion, our study highlights the significance of lipidemic changes in PH by providing innovative diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. These findings have the potential to reshape PH management strategies.