LIPOPROTEIN(A) IN CVR EVALUATION

Abstract

Objective: High values of lipoprotein(a), related to atherosclerosis progression, are often considered a marker of thrombosis. We assessed the lipoprotein(a) profile in a group of patients with high vascular risk and no cardiovascular events, established its correlation with other cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and inferred the results for patients with metabolic disorders and, at least, two risk factors. Design and method: This longitudinal observational study included 516 patients, who had at least two cardiovascular risk factors and regularly attended, for at least two years, the outpatient consultations at a clinic of metabolism and vascular risk for primary prevention. Sociodemographic, clinical and anthropometric parameters were obtained at the baseline visit. Hepatic morphology was assessed in 509 patients (98.6%) by ultrasonography. The 10-year vascular risk was estimated using Framingham risk score (FRS), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) tables. Results: Significant correlations were found between lipoprotein(a) levels and the addressed vascular risk factors, as well as between lipoprotein(a), and FRS, ASCVD and SCORE evaluation charts. Lipoprotein(a) values were also considerably higher in patients with steatosis. Increased lipoprotein(a) values were directly associated with all markers of cardiovascular risk and with non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis. Conclusions: Due to its high availability and low cost, lipoprotein(a) should become part of the routine evaluation of patients at vascular and should be decisive part in the calculation of vascular risk regardeless of age group.