[Lipoprotein (a). A new risk factor for coronary artery disease]

Lp(a) may represent a link between the fields of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Elevated Lp(a) levels > 300 mg/l have been associated with the presence of atherosclerotic disease. This prospective study initiated in 1995 and, until June 1999 enrolled 218 subjects divided in two groups: G1: subjects with/without angiographically proven coronary artery disease(CAD), n = 124 and GII: controls, n = 94 The objective of this study was to assess the influence of high Lp(a) serum levels on the CAD. Secondary end point was to demonstrate a correlation between the level serum Lp(a) and the severity of angiographic coronary findings. we found that The cases had significantly (p = 0.004) higher Lp(a) levels than the controls and that correlation exist between the value of Lp(a) serum levels and severity of angiographic findings. However, we do recommend Lp(a) screening for patients with early CA1:) or a family history of CAD.