Testing
Lp(a) testing is available but underused in Argentina, national survey of 518 laboratories and 18,159 test results (J Clin Lipidol 2026)
Original title: Access, utilization, and real-world distribution of lipoprotein(a) testing in Argentina: a national survey of 518 laboratories and analysis of 18,159 test results
National Argentine survey combining an electronic questionnaire of 518 clinical laboratories with analysis of 18,159 Lp(a) test results from a single referral laboratory in Buenos Aires Province (October 2025-January 2026). Of 518 responding laboratories, 401 (77.4%) reported access to Lp(a) testing, but 291 of those (72.6%) received fewer than 10 monthly requests, indicating low utilisation despite adequate infrastructure. Among test results, median Lp(a) was 18.5 mg/dL (IQR 6.7-42.1), with 21.9% of samples 50 mg/dL or more, 14.3% 75 mg/dL or more, and 7.1% 100 mg/dL or more. Lp(a) was modestly higher in women (19.1 mg/dL) than men (17.3 mg/dL, p<.001), rising with age, particularly in women from age 50. The authors call for national guidelines and physician education to close the gap between testing capacity and use.
Original abstract
Background And Aims: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent, genetically determined cardiovascular risk factor. Despite recommendations from multiple medical societies to measure it at least once in a lifetime, implementation of testing practices remains poorly characterized, particularly in Latin America.
Objective: To assess laboratory access to Lp(a) testing and characterize the distribution of Lp(a) levels in a large dataset derived from routine clinical practice in Argentina.
Methods: We conducted a 2-component national study coordinated by the Argentine Biochemistry Foundation: (1) an electronic survey of 518 clinical laboratories across Argentina, assessing Lp(a) testing availability and request volumes, and (2) analysis of 18,159 Lp(a) tests from Buenos Aires Province performed under standardized conditions at a single referral laboratory between October 2025 and January 2026.
Results: Of 518 responding laboratories, 401(77.4%) reported access to Lp(a) testing; however, 291(72.6%) received fewer than 10 monthly requests, indicating low utilization. Cross-sectional study analysis revealed a median Lp(a) of 18.5 mg/dL (IQR: 6.7-42.1 mg/dL), with 21.9% of samples ≥50 mg/dL, 14.3% ≥75 mg/dL, and 7.1% ≥100 mg/dL. Lp(a) concentrations were modestly higher in women (19.1 mg/dL [IQR 9.3-51.8]) than in men (17.3 mg/dL [IQR 8.2-43.9]), P < .001. A positive association between age and Lp(a) levels was observed, particularly in women beginning at age 50.
Conclusion: Despite adequate laboratory infrastructure, clinical utilization of Lp(a) testing in Argentina remains low. The prevalence of elevated Lp(a) (21.9%) is comparable to international populations, highlighting a critical gap between capacity and implementation, underscoring the urgent need for national guidelines and physician education.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.