Lipoprotein (a) is a risk factor of aortic valve calcification in patients with a risk of atherosclerosis

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Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat
04:30

Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat

Published on: February 4, 2021

3.4K

Munkhtsetseg Tserensonom1, Shusuke Yagi1,2, Takayuki Ise1

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima, Japan.

The Journal of Medical Investigation : JMI
|November 8, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a potent risk factor for aortic valve calcification (AVC) and aortic stenosis (AS). Identifying novel risk factors like Lp(a) is crucial for managing AS in elderly patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Aortic valve calcification (AVC) leading to aortic stenosis (AS) is prevalent in the elderly.
  • Conventional risk factors do not fully explain AS incidence, necessitating identification of residual risk factors.
  • Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a common intervention for severe AS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel risk factors for AVC in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
  • To evaluate the association of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels with AVC and AS.
  • To determine predictors of calcium volume in the aortic valve.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 513 patients who underwent coronary angiography with computed tomography.
  • Quantification of aortic valve calcium volume using a commercial application.
  • Assessment of conventional, lipid-related risk factors, including serum Lp(a), oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Main Results:

  • Calcium volume and Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in patients who underwent AVR.
  • Multiple regression analysis identified age, female sex, Lp(a), and hemoglobin A1c as determinants of calcium volume.
  • Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed Lp(a) had an area under the curve of 0.65 for AVR implementation at a cut-off of 16 mg/dL.

Conclusions:

  • Serum Lp(a) is a potent risk factor for AVC in patients at high risk for atherosclerosis.
  • Lp(a) may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AS.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the clinical utility of Lp(a) in AS management.

Keywords:
Aortic stenosisCalcium volumeLipoprotein

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