Assessment of Lipoprotein (A) Levels in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Single Center Experience From Turkiye

OBJECTIVE
This research target to evaluate the function of elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] levels as a potential contributor to residual risk in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Recognizing that around 90% of Lp (a) levels are genetically defined and can vary regionally, we assessed Lp (a) levels in a cohort of patients with ASCVD from the Turkish population, where data is currently insufficient.

METHODS
We generated a retrospective analysis of data and Lp(a) measurements obtained from individuals diagnosed with ASCVD in a single centre.

RESULTS
The analysis included Lp (a) level of 1193 consecutive individuals. The mean Lp (a) level was 28.2 mg/dL (the median was 16 mg/dL with IQR of 7 mg/dL and 39 mg/dL). The highest recorded Lp (a) level was 326 mg/dL. Of all cases, 18.7% exhibited Lp(a) levels ≥50 mg/dL, 10.8% had levels ≥70 mg/dL, and 5.8% had levels ≥90 mg/dL. Mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were 132 ± 47 mg/dL and 212 ± 54 mg/dL, respectively. Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in females. Moreover, the proportion of females with Lp(a) levels ≥90 mg/dL was higher than that of males (11.4% vs. 1.4%; p<0.01). A modestly significant correlation was observed between Lp(a) levels and TC (r=0.075, p=0.01) and LDL-C (r=0.106, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION
This study revealed that among ASCVD patients, Lp(a) concentrations were higher in women and statin users, and there was a weak but significant correlation between Lp(a) level and TC and LDL-C.