Testing
12% of Vietnamese cardiologists screened at a national congress had elevated Lp(a), even among those with well-controlled lipids, pilot study finds (Health Sci Rep 2025)
Original title: Lipoprotein(a) in Vietnamese Cardiologists: Findings From a Pilot Study at the Vietnam Atherosclerosis Society Congress
This pilot cross-sectional study, launched by the Vietnam Atherosclerosis Society at its 2024 congress, addressed a data gap on Lp(a) in Vietnam by inviting 800 attending cardiologists to be screened; after excluding those with existing cardiovascular disease, 165 physicians were analysed using the Tina-quant Lp(a) Gen 2 assay. Elevated Lp(a) (125 nmol/L or above) was found in 12.12% of participants, with no significant differences in age (P = 0.488) or sex distribution (P = 0.328) between those with and without elevated Lp(a), and no correlation with other lipid parameters, BMI, age, or statin use. Notably, 8% of participants who had achieved their LDL-C and non-HDL-C treatment targets still had elevated Lp(a). This physician-focused pilot both fills a data gap on Lp(a) in Vietnam and models self-screening among clinicians who otherwise often overlook their own cardiovascular risk.
Original abstract
Background And Aims: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Although current guidelines recommend Lp(a) testing, physicians are seldom screened, even though they remain at risk and often overlook their own health. In Vietnam, data on Lp(a) remain unclear. To address this, the Vietnam Atherosclerosis Society launched a pilot study to assess elevated Lp(a) among Vietnamese cardiologists, aiming to generate initial data, encourage physician screening, and raise medical and public awareness.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the 2024 Vietnam Atherosclerosis Society Congress, inviting 800 cardiologists. After exclusions, 165 without cardiovascular disease were analyzed. Demographic, biochemical, and lipid profiles were collected, and Lp(a) was measured using the Tina-quant Lp(a) Gen 2 assay.
Results: Elevated Lp(a) levels (≥ 125 nmol/L) were observed in 12.12% of the participants. There were no significant differences in median age (p = 0.488) or sex distribution (p = 0.328) between participants with and without elevated Lp(a). Lp(a) levels were not correlated with other lipid parameters, body mass index, or age. No significant difference in Lp(a) levels was observed between statin users and nonstatin users. Among participants who achieved LDL-C and non-HDL-C treatment targets, 8% still presented elevated Lp(a) levels.
Conclusion: At the Vietnam Atherosclerosis Society Congress, elevated Lp(a) levels were detected in several cardiologists without prior cardiovascular disease, including those with well-controlled lipid profiles according to current guideline targets.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.