Lipoprotein(a) quantification: comparison of methods and strategies for standardization

Despite an exponential increase in the number of published papers reporting the clinical significance of lipoprotein(a), it is very difficult to relate the lipoprotein(a) data obtained from different studies because of wide dissimilarities in the reported values. Methodological aspects such as differences in assay design, degree of optimization, antibody source, calibration, and the expression of lipoprotein(a) values are the main contributors to the observed lack of comparability. A major effort in the evaluation and standardization of lipoprotein(a) assays is required to fully evaluate the clinical potential of lipoprotein(a) measurements.