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Review
. 2014 Dec;43(4):949-62.
doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2014.08.002.

Lipoprotein(a): an important cardiovascular risk factor and a clinical conundrum

Marlys L Koschinsky  1 , Michael B Boffa  2
Affiliations
Review

Lipoprotein(a): an important cardiovascular risk factor and a clinical conundrum

Marlys L Koschinsky et al. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Elevated plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) are an emerging risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Recent genetic and epidemiologic data have provided strong evidence for a causal role of Lp(a) in CHD. Despite these developments, which have attracted increasing interest from clinicians and basic scientists, many unanswered questions persist. The true pathogenic mechanism of Lp(a) remains a mystery. Significant uncertainty exists concerning the appropriate use of Lp(a) in the clinical setting. No therapeutic intervention remains that can specifically lower plasma Lp(a) concentrations, although the list of compounds that lower Lp(a) and LDL continues to expand.

Keywords: Apolipoprotein(a); Atherosclerosis; Coronary heart disease; Genetics; Lipoprotein(a); Oxidized phospholipids; Risk factors; Thrombosis.

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