Aims/hypothesis. Cardiovascular complications and particularly coronary heart disease are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Some studies have shown that hypertriglyceridaemia in diabetes is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. In the ECTIM study high apolipoprotein C3 and lipoprotein B:C3 concentrations (lipoparticles playing a role in triglyceride metabolism) were associated with myocardial infarction in non-diabetic subjects.¶Methods. We studied the relations between macroangiopathy and different cardiovascular risk factors and lipid variables in 188 Type II diabetic subjects.¶Results. Multivariate analysis showed that triglycerides, apo C3 and Lp B:C3, sex, duration of diabetes, microalbuminuria and age were independently associated with macroangiopathy. The study group was divided into quartiles according to apo C3 and Lp B:C3 concentrations: the prevalence of macroangiopathy and coronary heart disease were increased in upper quartiles.¶Conclusion/interpretation. Triglycerides apo C3 and Lp B:C3 were independent cardiovascular risk markers in our group of Type II diabetic patients. [Diabetologia (2000) 43: 703–708]