Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
Published on: October 12, 2017
Association between lipoprotein (a) and risk of heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of Mendelian
Sandeep Singh1, Daniël P Baars2, Kanishk Aggarwal3
1Departments of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bio-informatics, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels significantly increase the risk of heart failure (HF). This meta-analysis of Mendelian randomization studies confirms Lp(a) as a key factor in HF development, warranting further investigation into its mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) incidence is rising globally, necessitating novel preventive strategies.
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a known cardiovascular risk factor, is increasingly implicated in HF pathogenesis.
- Existing evidence on Lp(a) and HF risk is inconclusive, prompting this meta-analysis.
Approach:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus databases up to November 2023.
- Mendelian randomization (MR) studies were analyzed using random effects models to assess the association between Lp(a) and HF.
- Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the robustness of the findings.
Key Points:
- The meta-analysis included 7 Mendelian randomization studies.
- Increased Lp(a) levels were significantly associated with a higher risk of HF (OR 1.064, 95% CI: 1.043-1.086).
- Sensitivity analyses confirmed the consistent association, with pooled ORs ranging from 1.051 to 1.111.
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis of MR data demonstrates a significant association between elevated Lp(a) levels and increased HF risk.
- The precise mechanisms, whether direct cardiac effects or increased ischemic heart disease risk, require further elucidation.
Background:
Rising incidence of heart failure (HF) in the Western world despite advanced clinical care necessitate exploration of further preventive tools and strategies. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], recognized as one of the major cardiovascular risk factors has also been implicated as a risk factor for HF. However, existing evidence remains inconclusive and that has led us to perform this meta-analysis.
Methods:
PubMed/Medline, EMBASE and Scopus were systematically searched for studies evaluating an association of Lp(a) with occurrence of HF from inception-till November 2023. Random effects models and I2 statistics were used for pooled odds ratio (OR) and heterogeneity assessment. We performed leave one out sensitivity analyses by sequentially removing one study at a time and recalculating the pooled effect size.
Result:
Our search rendered in total 360 studies and after final screening this resulted in 7 Mendelian randomization (MR) design. According to the MR analysis, increasing Lp(a) level were significantly associated with increased risk of HF (OR 1.064, 95 % CI: 1.043-1.086, I2= 97.59 %, P < 0.001). In addition, Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed that the effect size did not change substantially by removal of any particular study in MR studies and ORs ranged from 1.051 (when excluding Levin) to a maximum of 1.111 (when excluding Wang or Jiang), hereby confirming the association.
Conclusion:
We were able to show that by meta-analysis of MR data, increasing lipoprotein (a) levels are associated with an increased risk of HF. Whether this is due to a direct effect on heart muscle contraction or whether this is due to an increased risk of ischemic cardiac disease remains to be elucidated.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin,...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:24Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
02:41Lethal Alleles
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...