Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation
Published on: January 28, 2021
Lipoprotein(a): new insights from modern genomics
Mehdi Afshar1, George Thanassoulis
1aDepartment of Medicine, McGill University bPreventive and Genomic Cardiology, McGill University Health Center and Research Institute cDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Purpose Of Review:
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is the strongest independent genetic risk factor for both myocardial infarction and aortic stenosis. It has also been associated with other forms of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) including ischemic stroke. Its levels are genetically determined and remain fairly stable throughout life. Elevated Lp(a), above 50 mg/dl, affects one in five individuals worldwide.
Recent Findings:
Herein, we review the recent epidemiologic and genetic evidence supporting the causal role of Lp(a) in CVD, highlight recommendations made by European and Canadian guidelines regarding Lp(a) and summarize the rapidly evolving field of Lp(a)-lowering therapies including antisense therapies and Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 inhibitors.
Summary:
With novel therapies on the horizon, Lp(a) is poised to gain significant clinical relevance and its lowering could have a significant impact on the burden of CVD. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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