Testing
Clinically oriented review outlines how to bring Lp(a) testing into routine Polish practice under the 2025 ESC/EAS update (Arch Med Sci 2025)
Original title: Incorporating lipoprotein(a) into patient care: the Polish landscape in light of national recommendations and the updated ESC/EAS guidelines
This clinically oriented review addresses the gap between guideline recommendations and real-world Lp(a) testing in Poland, where atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death and roughly 20% of the population has elevated Lp(a). It summarises current evidence on Lp(a) as an independent, causal risk factor for ASCVD and aortic valve stenosis, presents recent real-world data characterising Polish patients with elevated Lp(a), and lays out testing and management strategies consistent with national recommendations and the 2025 Focused Update of the 2019 ESC/EAS dyslipidaemia guidelines, which recommend measuring Lp(a) once in all adults. The review is intended as a practical bridge from updated guidance to routine clinical uptake, given persistently low testing rates.
Original abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death in Poland. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] constitutes an independent, causal risk factor for ASCVD and aortic valve stenosis. Elevated Lp(a) is found in approximately 20% of the Polish population. Lp(a) measurements have been recommended in all adult patients to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. As the testing rate remains insufficient, there is a need to facilitate the incorporation of Lp(a) into routine patient care. This clinically oriented review outlines (i) up-to-date evidence on the role of Lp(a) in cardiovascular diseases, (ii) recent real-world data on the characteristics of Polish patients with elevated Lp(a), and (iii) strategies for Lp(a) testing and management in light of the current national recommendations and the latest 2025 Focused Update of the 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.