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Published on: October 12, 2017
Australian Atherosclerosis Society Position Statement on Lipoprotein(a): Clinical and Implementation Recommendations
Natalie C Ward1, Gerald F Watts2, Warrick Bishop3
1Dobney Hypertension Centre, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Insights
Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Guidelines recommend targeted screening and risk management for patients with high Lp(a) levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent, causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD).
- Lp(a) levels are influenced by genetics, ethnicity, hormones, and renal function, necessitating careful consideration during measurement.
- Accurate Lp(a) measurement requires apo(a)-isoform independent assays reporting results in molar units (nmol/L).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide guidance for cardiologists and specialists on managing adult patients with elevated Lp(a).
- To outline recommended screening strategies and risk stratification approaches for elevated Lp(a).
- To detail therapeutic interventions for patients with elevated Lp(a) and associated cardiovascular risk.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of current scientific evidence and clinical guidelines.
- Development of recommendations for Lp(a) testing, risk assessment, and management.
- Consideration of existing and emerging therapeutic strategies, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and apheresis.
Main Results:
- Selective screening for elevated Lp(a) is recommended in high-risk individuals, not universal screening.
- Testing is advised for patients with premature ASCVD and those at intermediate-to-high ASCVD risk.
- Elevated Lp(a) should guide risk stratification and treatment intensification, including lipid-lowering therapies and potentially PCSK9 inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Management of elevated Lp(a) involves comprehensive risk factor modification, optimizing lipid-lowering therapies, and considering apheresis for progressive ASCVD.
- New RNA-based therapies targeting Lp(a) are under investigation and may offer future treatment options.
- Adherence to guidelines ensures optimal patient care and cardiovascular risk reduction in the context of elevated Lp(a).
Abstract:
This position statement provides guidance to cardiologists and related specialists on the management of adult patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Elevated Lp(a) is an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). While circulating Lp(a) levels are largely determined by ancestry, they are also influenced by ethnicity, hormones, renal function, and acute inflammatory events, such that measurement should be done after accounting for these factors. Further, circulating Lp(a) concentrations should be estimated using an apo(a)-isoform independent assay that employs appropriate calibrators and reports the results in molar units (nmol/L). Selective screening strategies of high-risk patients are recommended, but universal screening of the population is currently not advised. Testing for elevated Lp(a) is recommended in all patients with premature ASCVD and those considered to be at intermediate-to-high risk of ASCVD. Elevated Lp(a) should be employed to assess and stratify risk and to enable a decision on initiation or intensification of preventative treatments, such as cholesterol lowering therapy. In adult patients with elevated Lp(a) at intermediate-to-high risk of ASCVD, absolute risk should be reduced by addressing all modifiable behavioural, lifestyle, psychosocial and clinical risk factors, including maximising cholesterol-lowering with statin and ezetimibe and, where appropriate, PCSK9 inhibitors. Apheresis should be considered in patients with progressive ASCVD. New ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based therapies which directly lower Lp(a) are undergoing clinical trials.
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