What is the cardiovascular risk (CVR) associated with LDL and HDL particle size and number, as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, compared to conventional total cholesterol measurements?
NMR Lipoprotein Particle Test, a systematic review and meta-analysis (Clin Investig Arterioscler 2022, PMID 36522243) — the number of small LDL particles increased CVR by 12% per standard deviation increase. The abstract for NMR Lipoprotein Particle Test states no limitations.
Source: Clin Investig Arterioscler 2022, PMID 36522243 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
Clin Investig Arterioscler · 2022 · PMID 36522243 · DOI 10.1016/j.arteri.2022.11.001
Measuring the number and size of lipoprotein particles provides additional insights into cardiovascular risk beyond traditional cholesterol measurements.
The question
What is the cardiovascular risk (CVR) associated with LDL and HDL particle size and number, as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, compared to conventional total cholesterol measurements?
What they tested
The study aims to assess the CVR associated with LDL and HDL particle size and number, suggesting these metrics may offer additional insights beyond conventional total cholesterol measurements.
How they did it
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using MEDLINE and Scopus databases for studies published before January 1, 2019. Included studies were cohort and case-control designs with adult patients, where HDL-P, LDL-P, HDL-Z, and/or LDL-Z were measured by NMR spectroscopy, and cardiovascular events were outcome variables with risk expressed as odds or hazard ratios. A meta-analysis was performed for four LDL and five HDL exposure variables, considering both highest versus lowest quartile and 1-standard deviation increment measures.
What they found
The review included 24 studies. An increased number of LDL particles was directly associated with CVR, with a 28% risk increase per standard deviation increment. LDL particle size was inversely associated with CVR, showing an 8% risk reduction per standard deviation increment. The number of small LDL particles increased CVR by 12% per standard deviation increase. Both HDL particle number and size were inversely associated with CVR.
| LDL Particle Number | 28 | |
|---|---|---|
| LDL Particle Size | -8 | |
| Small LDL Particles | 12 |
This chart illustrates the percentage change in cardiovascular risk associated with a one-standard deviation increment in various lipoprotein particle measures.
What it means
A larger number of LDL particles and smaller LDL particle size are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Conversely, an increasing number and size of HDL particles are associated with decreased risk. Larger HDL particle size provided greater protection, though this finding was inconsistent across studies.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the study, but it notes that the relationship between larger HDL particle size and greater protection was inconsistent between studies.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | The benefits of measuring the size and number of lipoprotein particles for cardiovascular risk prediction: a meta-analysis |
|---|---|
| Journal | Clin Investig Arterioscler |
| Year | 2022 |
| PMID | 36522243 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.arteri.2022.11.001 ↗ |
| Topic | Cardiovascular & vascular aging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
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NMR Lipoprotein Particle Test
Particle counts refine cardiovascular risk. Research relevant to this mechanism is indexed on PubMed and linked below; it describes the mechanism rather than this specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What is the cardiovascular risk (CVR) associated with LDL and HDL particle size and number, as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, compared to conventional total cholesterol measurements? [Plain-English summary of Clin Investig Arterioscler 2022, PMID 36522243, DOI 10.1016/j.arteri.2022.11.001]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36522243.html@misc{magellan_d36522243,
title = {What is the cardiovascular risk (CVR) associated with LDL and HDL particle size and number, as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, compared to conventional total cholesterol measurements?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36522243.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 36522243; DOI 10.1016/j.arteri.2022.11.001; Clin Investig Arterioscler 2022. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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