Several efforts have been made in seeking emergent or new
cardiovascular risk factors to improve cardiovascular disease
prediction. And, in an attempt to optimize the predictive capacity
of the lipid profile, several lipoprotein ratios or “atherogenic indices”
have been defined [9]. These indices could prove to be a better
alternative to the routine investigations. One of them is CARDIAC
RISK RATIO (CRR) which is frequently used for risk assessment of
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is given by the total cholesterol to
HDL cholesterol ratio [10]. Another index is ATHEROGENIC INDEX
OF PLASMA (AIP), calculated as log (TG/HDL-C). It has recently
been proposed as a marker of plasma atherogenecity because it is increased in people at higher risk for coronary heart disease and is
inversely correlated with LDL particle size. The association of TGs
and HDL-C in this simple ratio theoretically reflects the balance
between risk and protective lipoprotein forces, and both TGs and
HDL-C are widely measured and available [11]. ATHEROGENIC
COEFFICIENT (AC) is another index which is given by the ratio of non
HDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. Non HDL-c is easily calculated,
with no need for previous fasting of the patient. It is essentially the
cholesterol analogue to an apo B level, having a higher correlation
coefficient in comparison with the LDL cholesterol concentration
[12]. In developed countries, atherosclerosis is the major cause
of death and premature disability and is predicted to become the
leading global cause of total disease burden by the year 2020 [13].
Research work on the topic and particularly on its long term
complications is lacking in this region (Assam) where, lack of
health awareness and education among women prevents them
from seeking timely medical care during pregnancy. In view of this
background, the present study has been undertaken in Gauhati
Medical College and Hospital of Assam with the objectives to assess
the fasting lipid profile in women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia
as well as in women with normal pregnancy, to calculate their
atherogenic indices and to correlate the findings of pre-eclamptic
women with that of normal pregnant women in an attempt to utilize
the data for the development of a new clinical approach for early
recognition and prevention of risk of future cardiovascular diseases
in women with pregnancy induced hypertension.