Plasma atherogenicity index as an integrative marker of cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension

Abstract

Background: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), defined as the logarithm of the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, has been proposed as an integrated marker of plasma atherogenicity, reflecting qualitative lipoprotein alterations and cardiovascular risk.

Objective: To evaluate whether AIP adds value to cardiovascular risk stratification in patients with arterial hypertension by assessing its association with classical cardiometabolic biochemical variables.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 330 adults with arterial hypertension under regular treatment. After a 12–14-hour fasting period, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, and uric acid were measured. LDL-cholesterol was calculated using the Friedewald equation, LDL particle size was estimated using the equation 26.262 − 0.776 (TG/HDL-C in mmol/L), the apoB/apoA1 ratio was determined, and AIP was calculated as log (TG/HDL-C). Participants were classified as having normal (≤0.10) or altered (>0.10) AIP. Differences between groups were assessed using Student’s t-test (p<0.05).

Results: Among the participants, 53.6% presented altered AIP. Higher LDL-cholesterol, uric acid levels, apoB/apoA1 ratio, and smaller estimated LDL particle size were significantly associated with altered AIP (p<0.05).

Conclusion: AIP was consistently associated with multiple adverse cardiometabolic markers, suggesting that it adds value to cardiovascular risk prediction in hypertensive patients.