Epidemiology
A systematic review of 20,896 ACS-PCI patients across five countries confirms Lp(a) as a consistent predictor of recurrent ischaemic events (Rev Cardiovasc Med 2025)
Original title: Lipoprotein(a) as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review
This systematic review, following the QUADAS-2 quality assessment framework, searched PubMed for studies published between January 2020 and January 2025 on Lp(a) and recurrent ischaemic events in adults with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Ten studies met inclusion criteria, together covering 20,896 patients from Japan, India, Egypt, China and South Korea. Across these diverse cohorts, elevated Lp(a) was consistently and significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including myocardial infarction and mortality, both during the index hospitalisation and long-term follow-up. The authors conclude this consistent cross-national association establishes Lp(a) as a critical biomarker for predicting recurrent events in ACS patients after PCI, supporting routine monitoring and targeted management to address the residual cardiovascular risk it represents.
Original abstract
Background: Despite advancements in treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant global health concern. Although lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is recognized as a crucial cardiovascular risk factor associated with increased risk, the prognostic value of using Lp(a) levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains debatable. This review aimed to investigate the association between Lp(a) levels and recurrent ischemic events in patients with ACS undergoing PCI.
Methods: This systematic review included studies with individuals aged ≥18 years diagnosed with ACS who underwent PCI and had Lp(a) measurements. The included studies were sourced from the PubMed database, with a focus on articles published between January 2020 and January 2025. Keywords related to Lp(a) and cardiovascular diseases were used in the search. Data extraction involved a review of titles and abstracts followed by quality assessment using the QUADAS-2 tool.
Results: The final analysis included 10 studies with a combined population of 20,896 patients from diverse regions, including Japan, India, Egypt, China, and South Korea. Key findings indicate that elevated Lp(a) levels are significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including myocardial infarction and mortality, both in hospital and during long-term follow-up.
Conclusions: This review highlights Lp(a) as a critical biomarker for predicting recurrent cardiovascular events in ACS patients post-PCI. The consistent correlation between elevated Lp(a) levels and adverse outcomes underscores the necessity of routine monitoring and targeted management of Lp(a) to mitigate residual cardiovascular risk.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.