Lipids & ApoB
Apolipoprotein BApoB
Total atherogenic-particle count; the most accurate single-value cardiovascular risk marker.
Sample
Serum, non-fasting acceptable
Clinical reference range
— to 90 mg/dL
Optimal primary prevention
Conv: —–90 mg/dLFunc: —–80 mg/dL
Biology
What it measures
Each VLDL, IDL, LDL, and Lp(a) particle carries exactly one apoB-100. Therefore apoB equals the number of atherogenic particles per dL.
Clinical use
Why we order it
Refine risk when LDL-C and apoB are discordant (insulin resistance, low LDL-C with small dense particles).
Lens · Clinical
Interpretation by lens
Clinical interpretation
Canadian Cardiovascular Society and EAS prefer apoB <80 mg/dL for primary prevention, <65 for very high risk.
Differential
Causes of abnormal values
Causes of HIGH
- ↑Same as LDL
- ↑Insulin resistance
- ↑Familial combined hyperlipidemia
Evidence-graded claims
What the data says
B
ApoB outperforms LDL-C as a CV risk predictor
Multiple cohorts including Sniderman meta-analyses.
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