Background-Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), also denoted as lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, is a lipoprotein-bound enzyme that is possibly involved in inflammation and atherosclerosis. This study investigates the relationship of PAF-AH activity to angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD), the use of cardiovascular drugs, and other established risk factors. Methods and Results-PAF-AH activity, lipoproteins, sensitive C-reactive protein (sCRP), fibrinogen, serum

more »

... oid A, and white blood cell count were determined in 2454 subjects with angiographically confirmed CAD and in 694 control subjects. PAF-AH activity was highly correlated with LDL cholesterol (rϭ0.517), apolipoprotein B (rϭ0.644), and non-HDL cholesterol (rϭ0.648) but not with sCRP or fibrinogen. PAF-AH activity was lower in women than in men and was affected by the intake of lipid-lowering drugs (Ϫ12%; PϽ0.001), aspirin (Ϫ6%; PϽ0.001), ␤-blockers (Ϫ6%; PϽ0.001), and digitalis (ϩ7%; PϽ0.001). Unlike sCRP, fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A, PAF-AH activity was not elevated in unstable angina, non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or ST-elevation myocardial infarction. When nonusers of lipid-lowering drugs were examined, PAF-AH activity was associated with the severity of CAD and the number of coronary vessels with significant stenoses. In individuals not taking lipid-lowering drugs and after adjustment for use of aspirin, ␤-blocker, and digitalis, the odds ratio for CAD associated with increasing PAF-AH activity was 1.39 (95% CI 1.26 to 1.54, PϽ0.001), a finding that was robust against further adjustments. Conclusions-PAF-AH activity is not an indicator of the systemic inflammation that accompanies acute coronary syndromes. PAF-AH activity is affected by a number of cardiovascular drugs; however, after such medication use was accounted for, PAF-AH activity was associated with angiographic CAD, complementary to sCRP and independently of established risk factors such as LDL cholesterol. (Circulation. 2005;111:980-987.)