Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP): Explanation and Clinical Context The Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) is calculated as the base-10 logarithm of the ratio of plasma triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in mmol/L: log10(TG/HDL-C).
It serves as a sensitive marker of plasma atherogenicity and is closely associated with the size of LDL particles, with higher AIP indicating a predominance of small, dense LDL particles, which are more atherogenic.
AIP values below 0.11 indicate low cardiovascular risk, 0.11–0.21 indicate intermediate risk, and values above 0.21 indicate high cardiovascular risk.
This tool is clinically useful for risk stratification in patients for coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular events, especially when traditional lipid parameters are borderline.
Reference:
Dobiásová M, Frohlich J. “The plasma parameter log (TG/HDL-C) as an atherogenic index: correlation with lipoprotein particle size and esterification rate in apoB-lipoprotein-depleted plasma (FER(HDL)).” Clin Biochem. 2001;34(7):583-588. doi:10.1016/S0009-9120(01)00212-0