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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
06:47
Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation
Published on: January 28, 2021
Do We Know When and How to Lower Lipoprotein(a)?
Parag H Joshi1, Eric Krivitsky, Zhen Qian
1Piedmont Heart Institute, 95 Collier Road Northwest, Suite 2085, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA, parag.joshi@piedmont.org.
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
|September 16, 2010
Summary
Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] indicates cardiovascular risk. While no trials prove Lp(a) reduction lowers risk, elevated levels guide aggressive lipid-lowering therapy and risk stratification in select patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Lipidology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are strongly linked to cardiovascular risk.
- No clinical trials have yet assessed Lp(a) reduction's impact on cardiovascular risk in primary prevention.
- Current guidelines recommend using Lp(a) percentiles for risk stratification and guiding lipid-lowering therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence linking Lp(a) to cardiovascular risk.
- To discuss the role of Lp(a) measurement in patient risk stratification.
- To explore potential therapeutic strategies for lowering Lp(a) and their implications.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical trial data on Lp(a) and cardiovascular risk.
- Discussion of consensus guidelines for Lp(a) testing and risk assessment.
- Evaluation of current and emerging therapies that may impact Lp(a) levels.
Main Results:
- Elevated Lp(a) is a significant, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Lp(a) measurement is recommended for specific patient groups, including those with early vascular disease or family history.
- Therapeutic options like niacin and ezetimibe show potential for Lp(a) reduction, with mipomersen in development.
Conclusions:
- Lp(a) serves as a valuable tool for cardiovascular risk stratification, guiding more intensive lipid management.
- While Lp(a) reduction is a therapeutic target, definitive evidence of its clinical benefit requires further investigation.
- Future research and specific Lp(a)-lowering therapies are needed to confirm the impact on cardiovascular outcomes.
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