Atherogenic Index of Plasma Predicts Cardiovascular Events and Mortality: Study

A new study published in the journal of Current Medicinal Chemistry revealed an elevated Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) independently predicts major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), coronary heart disease, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality in the general population, though further prospective studies are needed to confirm its clinical utility.

AIP measures the balance between plasma triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Since triglycerides and HDL levels are routinely measured in blood tests, AIP can be calculated easily and may serve as a practical indicator of cardiovascular health.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies examined the relationship between AIP and long-term health outcomes. Using databases including Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed, they identified studies published up to January 28, 2025 which evaluated the association between AIP levels and the risk of MACE or mortality in the general population. 15 studies across 16 articles were included, where these studies covered a combined population of 901,640 individuals.

The findings revealed that individuals with the highest AIP levels faced significantly higher health risks when compared to those who had the lowest levels. The pooled analysis showed that people with elevated AIP had a 33% higher risk of experiencing MACE. The risk of coronary heart disease was even more pronounced, with a 72% increase among those in the highest AIP group.

Stroke risk appeared elevated, with the analysis suggesting a 49% higher risk among individuals with high AIP levels. However, this particular association weakened when sensitivity analyses were conducted, which indicated the evidence linking AIP to stroke may be less robust and requires further investigation.

Beyond cardiovascular events, the study also found associations with mortality. Individuals with higher AIP levels had a 24% greater risk of death from any cause and a 17% higher risk of cardiovascular-related death when compared to those with lower AIP levels. Overall, these results suggest that AIP could serve as a useful tool for identifying people at elevated cardiovascular risk, particularly because it is derived from commonly measured blood lipids.

Early detection of higher-risk individuals may help guide preventive strategies, including lifestyle changes or medical interventions. Further large prospective studies are imperative to confirm the observed relationships and determine how best to integrate AIP measurement into clinical practice.

Source:

Cai, J., Zhang, Y., & Fan, Y. (2026). Association between Atherogenic Index of plasma and cardiovascular events or mortality in the general population: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 33. https://doi.org/10.2174/0109298673412215251211122028