Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
Lipoprotein (a) level is associated with plaque vulnerability in patients with coronary artery disease: An optical
Yusuke Muramatsu1, Yoshiyasu Minami1, Ayami Kato1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan.
Insights
High lipoprotein (a) levels are linked to vulnerable coronary plaques, especially in patients with elevated LDL cholesterol. This study found a higher prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) in patients with increased lipoprotein (a).
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is an independent predictor of poor outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD).
- The relationship between serum Lp(a) levels and coronary plaque vulnerability is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum Lp(a) levels and coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with CAD.
- To determine if Lp(a) levels correlate with the presence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA).
Main Methods:
- 255 consecutive CAD patients undergoing optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging were analyzed.
- Patients were stratified into higher Lp(a) [≥25 mg/dL] and lower Lp(a) [<25 mg/dL] groups.
- Coronary plaque vulnerability, specifically TCFA, was assessed using OCT imaging.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of TCFA was significantly higher in the higher Lp(a) group (23%) compared to the lower Lp(a) group (11%).
- Among patients with higher LDL cholesterol (≥100 mg/dL), TCFA was markedly more prevalent in the higher Lp(a) group (39%) versus the lower Lp(a) group (10%).
- No significant difference in TCFA prevalence was observed between groups with lower LDL cholesterol (<100 mg/dL).
Conclusions:
- Higher serum Lp(a) levels are associated with an increased frequency of vulnerable coronary plaques (TCFA).
- This association is particularly pronounced in patients with elevated LDL cholesterol levels.
Background:
High lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels are an independent factor for worse prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between serum Lp(a) level and coronary plaque vulnerability remains to be determined.
Methods:
A total of 255 consecutive patients with CAD who underwent optical coherence tomography imaging of culprit lesions were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their Lp(a) levels (the higher Lp(a) group [≥25 mg/dL], n = 87; or the lower Lp(a) group [<25 mg/dL], n = 168).
Results:
The prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) was significantly higher in the higher Lp(a) group than in the lower Lp(a) group (23% [n = 20] vs. 11% [n = 19], p = 0.014). Although the prevalence of TCFA was comparable between the 2 groups among patients with a lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) level (<100 mg/dL), TCFA was significantly more prevalent in the higher Lp(a) group than in the lower Lp(a) group (39% [14/36] vs. 10% [5/50], p = 0.001) among patients with a higher LDL-C level (≥100 mg/dL).
Conclusions:
A higher Lp(a) level was associated with a higher frequency of TCFA, particularly in patients with a higher LDL-C level.
More Related Videos
13:07Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
07:44In vivo Structural Assessments of Ocular Disease in Rodent Models using Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: July 24, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction