Lipoprotein(a) levels and carotid intima-media thickness in children: A 20-year follow-up study

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)1, 2. With a reported population prevalence of approximately 20%, elevated Lp(a) (>50 mg/dL, corresponding to ≈120 nmol/L) is a prevalent risk factor3. Lp(a) levels are mainly genetically determined and if elevated, individuals are exposed to a high Lp(a)-burden from early in childhood onwards4. Results of a recent follow-up study in children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) showed that Lp(a) level s contributed significantly to arterial wall thickening, as measured by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and statin use5.
Source: Journal of Clinical Lipidology - Category: Lipidology Authors: Tags: Brief Communication Source Type: research