Endogenous CETP activity as a predictor of cardiovascular risk: determination of the optimal range.

Objectives: To identify key determinants of plasma endogenous CETP activity and threshold value of plasma CETP activity associated with high cardiovascular risk.

Methods: Endogenous plasma CETP activity was measured in a total of 1403 individuals.

Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that 23.5% of endogenous CETP activity variability was explained by plasma LDL-C (12.0%), HDL-C (6.4%) and TG (4.4%) whereas sex and BMI accounted together for only 0.7% of its variability. Scoring patients for cardiovascular risk on the basis of their plasma lipid levels (TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C), revealed that patients with high cardiovascular risk (score ≥3) displayed a mean endogenous plasma CETP activity above 34%.

Conclusion: Plasma CETP activity represents a potent indicator of cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic disorders since it integrates major independent risk factors.