Page "Low-density lipoprotein" Paragraph 37

However, the concentration of LDL particles, and to a lesser extent their size, has a slightly stronger correlation with individual clinical outcome than the amount of cholesterol within LDL particles, even if the LDL-C estimation is approximately correct.

There is increasing evidence and recognition of the value of more targeted and accurate measurements of LDL particles.

Specifically, LDL particle number ( concentration ), and to a lesser extent size, have shown slightly stronger correlations with atherosclerotic progression and cardiovascular events than obtained using chemical measures of the amount of cholesterol carried by the LDL particles.

It is possible that the LDL cholesterol concentration can be low, yet LDL particle number high and cardiovascular events rates are high.

Correspondingly, it is possible that LDL cholesterol concentration can be relatively high, yet LDL particle number low and cardiovascular events are also low.

If LDL particle concentration is used to predict cardiovascular events, many other correlates of these clinical outcomes, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity and smoking, lose much of their predictive power.