Abstract 1525: High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol is Protective Against the Development of Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances in the Non-ST Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome
INTRODUCTION: Many studies have demonstrated that reduced high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels and elevated triglyceride (TG)/HDL ratio correlate with the development of chronic ischemic heart disease. The role of HDL and the development of cardiac rhythm disturbances in the non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unclear. HYPOTHESIS: We assessed the hypothesis that HDL might be protective against development of cardiac rhythm disturbances. Additionally, any protective effect was compared with TG/HDL and LDL/HDL in this setting. METHODS: A total of 6881 patients who presented during 2000–2003 with non-ST segment elevation ACS had fasting lipid panels collected within the first 24 hours of admission. Patients were followed for the development of rhythm disturbances of up to 6 years after initial presentation, with a mean of 1269 days. These patients were further separated into diabetic and nondiabetic groups. RESULTS: After adjustment for ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, age, and body mass index, higher HDL levels were found to be independently protective against developing atrial fibrillation and other cardiac rhythm disturbances. TG/HDL and LDL/HDL were also protective of cardiac arrhythmias but not with the same power as low HDL (HDL > 31mg/dl, HR = 3.69, 95% CI=3.01– 4.53, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the above results, patients with lower HDL levels during hospitalizations with non-ST segment elevation ACS have a greater chance of developing cardiac rhythm disturbances independent of other risk factors. Although higher TG/HDL and LDL/HDL are also predictive, lower HDL is associated with highest OR for the development of cardiac arrhythmia among diabetic and non-diabetic patients with non-ST elevation with ACS.