Learn About Lp(a)

Elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) represents the most common type of genetic dyslipidemia.1 High Lp(a) values may occur in 20% of the general population and more frequently in certain races and ethnicities.2 More than 70 million people in North America and 1.5 billion individuals globally are affected.2,3

Lp(a) is an apoB family lipoprotein.4 Elevated Lp(a) concentration is an independent, genetic, and causal risk driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).1,3-5 High Lp(a) levels remain a risk factor for ASCVD development even when plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels have been reduced.4 Moreover, patients with high Lp(a) levels likely have family members with high levels, too.6,7 US and Global consensus statements and guidelines related to Lp(a) recommend various patient types be screened/tested for elevated Lp(a).1,6-10 In 2018, two International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes to justify Lp(a) testing were added: E78.41, Elevated Lp(a); and Z83.430, Family history of elevated Lp(a).6,11

PATIENT VOICESLISTEN TO THE EXPERTSACADEMIC RESOURCES

PATIENT VOICES

Patient Heart Health Testimony

Patient Heart Health Testimony

Letters from the Heart

Letters from the Heart

Lp(a) Awareness

Lp(a) Awareness

LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS

AHA - Lp(a) Montage

AHA - Lp(a) Montage

Dr. Libby Discusses Lp(a)

Dr. Libby Discusses Lp(a)

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

The ASCVD Journey With Lp(a): an ApoB-Family Lipoprotein

The ASCVD Journey With Lp(a): an ApoB-Family Lipoprotein

Understanding Lp(a): Clinical Implications of an underrecognized Genetic Dyslipdemia

Understanding Lp(a): Clinical Implications of an underrecognized Genetic Dyslipdemia

ACC Panel Discussion

ACC Panel Discussion

References

  1. Handelsman Y, Jellinger PS, Guerin CK, et al. Consensus statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology on the Management of Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Algorithm – 2020 executive summary. Endocr Pract. 2020;26(10):1196-1224. doi:10.4158/CS-2020-0490
  2. Tsimikas S, Marcovina SM. Ancestry, lipoprotein(a), and cardiovascular risk thresholds: JACC review topic of the week. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;80(9):934-946. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2022.06.019
  3. Tsimikas S, Fazio S, Ferdinand KC, et al. NHLBI Working Group recommendations to reduce lipoprotein(a)-mediated risk of cardiovascular disease and aortic stenosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;71(2):177-192. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.11.014
  4. Reyes-Soffer G, Ginsberg HN, Berglund L, et al; American Heart Association Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; and Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease. Lipoprotein(a): a genetically determined, causal, and prevalent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2022;42(1):e48-e60. doi:10.1161/ATV.0000000000000147
  5. Thanassoulis G. Screening for high lipoprotein(a). Circulation. 2019;139(12):1493-1496. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.038989
  6. Wilson DP, Jacobson TA, Jones PH, et al. Use of lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice: a biomarker whose time has come. A scientific statement from the National Lipid Association. J Clin Lipidol. 2019;13(3):374-392. doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2019.04.010
  7. Kronenberg F, Mora S, Stroes ESG, et al. Lipoprotein(a) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and aortic stenosis: a European Atherosclerosis Society consensus statement. Eur Heart J. 2022;43(39):3925-3946. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac361
  8. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019;139(25):e1082-e1143. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625
  9. Pearson GJ, Thanassoulis G, Anderson TJ, et al. 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults. Can J Cardiol. 2021;37(8):1129-1150. doi:10.1016/j.cjca.2021.03.016
  10. Writing Committee, Lloyd-Jones DM, Morris PB, et al. 2022 ACC expert consensus decision pathway on the role of nonstatin therapies for LDL-cholesterol lowering in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk: a report of The American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;80(14):1366-1418. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.006
  11. Engler RJM, Brede E, Villines T, Vernalis MN. Lipoprotein(a) elevation: a new diagnostic code with relevance to service members and veterans. Fed Pract. 2019;36(suppl 7):S19-S31.