Testing
A liver transplant recipient developed elevated Lp(a) and accelerated atherosclerosis after transplantation, a case report (J Clin Lipidol 2016)
Original title: Accelerated atherosclerosis and elevated lipoprotein (a) after liver transplantation
This case report describes a patient whose Lp(a) rose after (and likely because of) orthotopic liver transplantation, contributing to accelerated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease despite intensive therapy, consistent with evidence that apolipoprotein(a), the key structural and functional component of Lp(a), is expressed and assembled into Lp(a) in hepatocytes. The authors argue this case supports including Lp(a) screening in routine lipid panels for all liver transplant donors and recipients, to help reduce unanticipated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Original abstract
Cumulative evidence suggests that lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] exerts an independent effect on the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The genetically mediated expression of apolipoprotein(a), which is the key structural and functional component of Lp(a), occurs in hepatocytes with subsequent extracellular Lp(a) assembly at the hepatic cell surface. Here, we describe a case of elevated Lp(a) concentrations identified after (and likely acquired by) orthotopic liver transplantation that contributed to accelerated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease despite intensive therapeutic interventions. This case study represents an important example to include Lp(a) screening in routine lipid panel testing for all liver transplant donors and recipients; to reduce unanticipated and debilitating cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.