FAMILIAL hypobetalipoproteinemia is characterized by sharply reduced levels of plasma cholesterol and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (C-LDL).1,2 High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-HDL) level is normal to slightly elevated.2 Men and women from hypobetalipoproteinemic kindreds had reported life expectancies that were seven and six years longer, respectively, than for US white populations (P<.002).2 Combined myocardial infarction morbidity and mortality was 2.5% in hypobetalipoproteinemic kindreds, fivefold less than in normolipemic controls (11%; P<.01).2 In hypobetalipoproteinemia, low C-LDL, the atherogenic lipoprotein,2-4 or a low ratio of C-LDL to C-HDL, the antiatherogenic lipoprotein,2,4 may facilitate longevity and decrease morbidity and mortality from myocardial infarction.2
We report what to our knowledge is the first documented autopsy study of a patient with familial hypobetalipoproteinemia and in whom there were no arterial atherosclerotic lesions on either gross or microscopic examination.
Report of a Case
A 76-year-old woman was found to