Lp(a) levels in a global ASCVD population: Lp(a)HERITAGE (Nissen et al., Open Heart 2022)

Original title: Lipoprotein(a) levels in a global population with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Open Heart · 1 October 2022 · 7

Nissen SE, Wolski K, Cho L, Nicholls SJ, Kastelein J, Leitersdorf E, Landmesser U, Blaha M, Lincoff AM, Morishita R, Tsimikas S, Liu J et al.

48,135 patients with prior MI, stroke or peripheral artery disease at 949 sites in 48 countries: only 13.9 percent had ever had Lp(a) measured; median Lp(a) was 18 mg/dL (42 nmol/L), higher in women, roughly threefold higher in Black patients and higher in the young; 27.9 percent were above 50 mg/dL and 20.7 percent above 70 mg/dL, the Lp(a)HORIZON threshold. The denominator for every estimate of how many secondary-prevention patients a therapy would serve.

Original abstract

Objective: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an important genetically determined risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASCVD). With the development of Lp(a)-lowering therapies, this study sought to characterise patterns of Lp(a) levels in a global ASCVD population and identify racial, ethnic, regional and gender differences.

Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional epidemiological study to estimate the prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in patients with a history of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke or peripheral artery disease conducted at 949 sites in 48 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, South Africa and Australia between April 2019 and July 2021. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and Lp(a) levels were measured either as mass (mg/dL) or molar concentration (nmol/L).

Results: Of 48 135 enrolled patients, 13.9% had prior measurements of Lp(a). Mean age was 62.6 (SD 10.1) years and 25.9% were female. Median Lp(a) was 18.0 mg/dL (IQR 7.9-57.1) or 42.0 nmol/L (IQR 15.0-155.4). Median LDL-C was 77 mg/dL (IQR 58.4-101.0). Lp(a) in women was higher, 22.8 (IQR 9.0-73.0) mg/dL, than in men, 17.0 (IQR 7.1-52.2) mg/dL, p<0.001. Black patients had Lp(a) levels approximately threefold higher than white, Hispanic or Asian patients. Younger patients also had higher levels. 27.9% of patients had Lp(a) levels >50 mg/dL, 20.7% had levels >70 mg/dL, 12.9% were >90 mg/dL and 26.0% of patients exceeded 150 nmol/L.

Conclusions: Globally, Lp(a) is measured in a small minority of patients with ASCVD and is highest in black, younger and female patients. More than 25% of patients had levels exceeding the established threshold for increased cardiovascular risk, approximately 50 mg/dL or 125 nmol/L.

Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.