HDL protective against cardiac rhythm disturbances

Low HDL cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of developing cardiac arrhythmia in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes, according to a study from the Banner Good Samaritan Hospital and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona. Findings were reported at the Scientific Sessions, American Heart Association Annual Meeting 2007.1

The study included 6,881 patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes and fasting lipids measured within the first 24 hours of hospital admission, recruited during 2002-2003. Patients were followed for the development of rhythm disturbances up to 6 years after this initial event.

After adjusting for medical history (ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and hypertension), age, body mass index and levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, HDL cholesterol was shown to independently protect against the development of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac rhythm disturbances (HDL cholesterol > 31 mg/dL, hazard ratio 3.69, 95%CI 3.01-4.53, p<0.05). This effect was evident in patients with and without diabetes.

The researchers concluded that these data emphasise the importance of raising HDL cholesterol levels in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.

References

1. Kalayeh N, Kahn Y, Yarkoni A et al. High density lipoprotein cholesterol is protective against the development of cardiac rhythm disturbances in the non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. Circulation 2007;116:II_316. Abstract 1525.