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  • Lab Values
  • Clinical Significance
  • Treatment Options
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Test Code 224

Test Details

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))

Lp(a) is a plasma lipoprotein that is composed of two parts:

  • LDL-like particle
  • Apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)], a protein made in the liver and attached to the apoB portion of this particle

 

Levels are determined by genetic factors.

Methodology

Immunoturbidimetric assay

Patient Preparation

None

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL serum (0.5 mL minimum) collected in serum separator tube (SST/Tiger Top)

Alternate Specimen

  • 1.0 mL EDTA plasma (0.5 mL minimum) collected in plasma separator tube (Pearl Top)
  • Dried Blood collected on an AdvanceDx 100 card

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)

Stability

Refrigerated: 7 days

Lab Values

Lab Values

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))

  • Optimal: <30 mg/dL
  • Borderline: 30–50 mg/dL
  • High Risk: >50 mg/dL
Test Details
Clinical Significance

Clinical Significance

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))

Elevated levels are an independent risk factor for CVD.1-3

References:

  1. Nordestgaard BG, Chapman MJ, Ray K, et al. Lipoprotein(a) as a cardiovascular risk factor: current status. Eur Heart J. 2010;31(23):2844–2853.
  2. Hoff HF, Beck GJ, Skibinski CI, et al. Serum Lp(a) level as a predictor of vein graft stenosis after coronary artery bypass surgery in patients. Circulation. 1988;77(6):1238–1244.
  3. Lamon-Fava S, Marcovina SM, Albers JJ, Kennedy H, Deluca C, White CC, Cupples LA, McNamara JR, Seman LJ, Bongard V, Schaefer EJ. Lipoprotein(a) levels, isoforms, and coronary heart disease risk in the Framingham Off spring Study. J Lipid Res. 2011;52(6):1181-1187.
Lab Values
Treatment Options

Treatment Options

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))

  • Niacin
  • Optimize LDL-C, sdLDL-C and apoB
  • Aspirin
Clinical Significance