Genetics
A practical clinical guide to Lp(a), genetics, real-world risk-factor interactions, and emerging metabolic targets for lowering it (Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2023)
Original title: Lipoprotein(a) in clinical practice: A guide for the clinician
This clinician-oriented review summarises recent advances in understanding Lp(a) as an independent, causative risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and calcific aortic valve disease. It covers new insights into LPA gene polymorphisms, how Lp(a) interacts with concomitant risk factors in real-world data, and metabolic pathway targets for Lp(a) reduction. The authors discuss current management strategies recommended by cardiovascular professional societies, review emerging Lp(a)-lowering therapies, and outline future directions for targeting Lp(a) to reduce cardiovascular disease.
Original abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Serum lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) has been shown to be an independent and causative risk factor for atherosclerotic CVD and calcific aortic valvular disease. Lp(a) continues to be studied, with emerging insights into the epidemiology of CVD with respect to Lp(a), pathogenic mechanisms of Lp(a) and strategies to mitigate disease. There have been novel insights into genetic polymorphisms of the LPA gene, interactions between concomitant risk factors and Lp(a) based on real-world data, and metabolic pathway targets for Lp(a) reduction. This review highlights these recent advances in our understanding of Lp(a) and discusses management strategies as recommended by cardiovascular professional societies, emerging therapies for lowering Lp(a), and future directions in targeting Lp(a) to reduce CVD.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.