Sotirios Tsimikas1. 1. Vascular Medicine Program, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article summarizes recent observations on the role of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as a risk factor mediating cardiovascular disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Lp(a) is a highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factor, with levels above 30 mg/dl affecting 20-30% of the global population. Up until now, no specific therapies have been developed to lower Lp(a) levels. Three major levels of evidence support the notion that elevated Lp(a) levels are a causal, independent, genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease: epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses, genome-wide association studies and Mendelian randomization studies. Recent studies also have noted that individuals with low levels of Lp(a) are associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus, and conversely individuals with high levels have a lower risk, but this association does not appear to be causal. Novel therapies to lower Lp(a) include PCSK9 inhibitors and antisense oligonucleotides directly preventing translation of apolipoprotein(a) mRNA. SUMMARY: With this robust and expanding clinical database, a reawakening of interest in Lp(a) as clinical risk factor is taking place. Trials are underway with novel drugs that substantially lower Lp(a) and may reduce its contribution to cardiovascular disease.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article summarizes recent observations on the role of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as a risk factor mediating cardiovascular disease. RECENT FINDINGS:Lp(a) is a highly prevalent cardiovascular risk factor, with levels above 30 mg/dl affecting 20-30% of the global population. Up until now, no specific therapies have been developed to lower Lp(a) levels. Three major levels of evidence support the notion that elevated Lp(a) levels are a causal, independent, genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease: epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses, genome-wide association studies and Mendelian randomization studies. Recent studies also have noted that individuals with low levels of Lp(a) are associated with a higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus, and conversely individuals with high levels have a lower risk, but this association does not appear to be causal. Novel therapies to lower Lp(a) include PCSK9 inhibitors and antisense oligonucleotides directly preventing translation of apolipoprotein(a) mRNA. SUMMARY: With this robust and expanding clinical database, a reawakening of interest in Lp(a) as clinical risk factor is taking place. Trials are underway with novel drugs that substantially lower Lp(a) and may reduce its contribution to cardiovascular disease.
Authors: Sotirios Tsimikas; Nicholas J Viney; Steven G Hughes; Walter Singleton; Mark J Graham; Brenda F Baker; Jennifer L Burkey; Qingqing Yang; Santica M Marcovina; Richard S Geary; Rosanne M Crooke; Joseph L Witztum Journal: Lancet Date: 2015-07-22 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Michelle L O'Donoghue; David A Morrow; Sotirios Tsimikas; Sarah Sloan; Angela F Ren; Elaine B Hoffman; Nihar R Desai; Scott D Solomon; Michael Domanski; Kiyohito Arai; Stephanie E Chiuve; Christopher P Cannon; Frank M Sacks; Marc S Sabatine Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2013-10-23 Impact factor: 24.094
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Authors: Jay Khambhati; Marc Allard-Ratick; Devinder Dhindsa; Suegene Lee; John Chen; Pratik B Sandesara; Wesley O'Neal; Arshed A Quyyumi; Nathan D Wong; Roger S Blumenthal; Laurence S Sperling Journal: Clin Cardiol Date: 2018-05-10 Impact factor: 2.882
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