Therapy
How much must Lp(a) fall to matter clinically? A critical overview of treatment targets, strategies and costs (Eur J Prev Cardiol 2022)
Original title: Lipoprotein (a) as a treatment target for cardiovascular disease prevention and related therapeutic strategies: a critical overview
This narrative review critically examines Lp(a) as a potential novel cardiovascular treatment target, given persistently high cardiovascular disease burden despite advances in dyslipidaemia management. The authors present current evidence for a causal relationship between Lp(a) and cardiovascular disease and discuss the likely magnitude of Lp(a) lowering required to produce clinical benefit. They also review current and investigational Lp(a)-targeted treatments, along with their potential cost, as the field searches for new ways to reduce residual cardiovascular risk.
Original abstract
Advances in several fields of cardiovascular (CV) medicine have produced new treatments (e.g. to treat dyslipidaemia) that have proven efficacy in terms of reducing deaths and providing a better quality of life. However, the burden of CV disease (CVD) remains high. Thus, there is a need to search for new treatment targets. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has emerged as a potential novel target since there is evidence that it contributes to CVD events. In this narrative review, we present the current evidence of the potential causal relationship between Lp(a) and CVD and discuss the likely magnitude of Lp(a) lowering required to produce a clinical benefit. We also consider current and investigational treatments targeting Lp(a), along with the potential cost of these interventions.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.