Researchers in Denmark have recently completed a study which shows that increased levels of liprotein(a), a genetically produced cholesterol also known as Lp(a), are associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack). The study was reported in the American Journal of Medicine on June 10. Using data from three separate studies that included 40,486 participants and 2,2824 myocardial infarctions (MIs), Borge Nordesgaard, MD, DMSc and his colleagues at Herlov Hospital were able to determine that there is a causal relationship between elevated levels of Lp(a) and the risk of heart attack. Unfortunately it's not clear how this information can be used on a clinical basis, and there are currently no drugs available that "preferentially" lower the level of lipoprotein(a).
Levels of high density and low density lipoprotein cholesterol are currently measured by a simple blood test, but the level of Lp(a) has not been measured previously, because it was unclear whether it was an effective measure to indicate the potential for heart disease. Nordesgaard feels the findings justify a larger, randomized intervention trial which will demonstrate if MI risk is reduced with Lp(a)- lowering therapy.
Other physicians and editorialists are less enthusiastic about the study results. They say that even if there was a well-tolerated medication that can reduce Lp(a), it's not clear whether it would have a significant effect on the reduction of the risk of MI.
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