Epidemiology
Lp(a) predicts recurrent ACS despite negative fractional flow reserve testing, Chinese cohort of 513 (Rev Cardiovasc Med 2026)
Original title: Lipoprotein(a) as a Risk Factor for Recurrent Acute Coronary Syndrome and Unplanned Revascularization in Fractional Flow Reserve-Negative Lesions
Retrospective cohort of 513 patients with new acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and FFR-negative lesions (FFR above 0.80) at a single Chinese center (23 February 2016-6 November 2023), testing whether serum Lp(a) predicts recurrent ACS and unplanned revascularisation despite no functional ischaemia. Serum Lp(a) was higher in women. Over an average 6.5-year follow-up, 119 patients (23.2%) experienced recurrent ACS and unplanned revascularisation in the target lesion; Lp(a) was significantly higher in this group than in those without recurrence (65.80 vs 60.57 nmol/L, p=0.034), with no differences in other clinical characteristics, medications or laboratory results between groups. The authors conclude serum Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for recurrent ACS and unplanned revascularisation even in FFR-negative lesions, arguing for its use in risk stratification beyond functional ischaemia testing.
Original abstract
Background: This study aimed to explore the association between serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and recurrent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and revascularization of target lesions in patients with ACS who showed no functional ischemia on fractional flow reserve (FFR) testing during coronary angiography (CAG).
Methods: The retrospective observational study was conducted at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command and included 513 patients with new ACS recruited from 23 February 2016 to 6 November 2023 and followed up. These patients underwent CAG examination and were found to have at least one coronary artery with moderate or greater stenosis, and also underwent FFR measurement with FFR value >0.80. Patients experienced recurrent ACS and underwent unplanned revascularization were defined as the revascularization group, while patients did not experience recurrent ACS and undergo unplanned revascularization were assigned to the no revascularization group. The study employed propensity score matching (PSM) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate the correlation between serum Lp(a) and recurrent ACS and unplanned revascularization in target lesion with FFR value >0.80.
Results: Serum Lp(a) levels were higher in female patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the basic clinical characteristics, medication use, laboratory test results or ejection fraction values between the two groups. During a average follow-up of 6.5 years, 119 patients (23.2%) experienced recurrent ACS and unplanned revascularization in the target lesion. The level of serum Lp(a) in the patients that underwent unplanned revascularization was significantly higher than in the group that did not undergo repeated revascularization (65.80 mmol/L vs. 60.57 mmol/L, p = 0.034).
Conclusion: Serum Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for recurrent ACS and unplanned revascularization in patients with ACS and FFR negative plaque.
epidemiologyrisk predictionwomen
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.