Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels in PAD predict risk of adverse CV and limb events: JACC

Japan: Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) treated with revascularization are associated with an increased risk for adverse CV and limb events, a recent study in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions has stated. This association was observed irrespective of statin administration and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. 

Increased Lp(a) levels are shown to be an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic diseases, including PAD. However, there is no information on their prognostic impact in patients with PAD. To fill this knowledge gap, Yusuke Tomoi, Department of Cardiology, Kokura Memorial Hospital, Kitakyushu, Japan, and colleagues aimed to examine the prognostic impact of elevated Lp(a) levels in patients with PAD undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT).

For this purpose, the researchers included a total of 1,169 patients who underwent successful EVT for symptomatic PAD between September 2016 and August 2021. High Lp(a) levels were defined as >30 mg/dL. Analysis was done of the associations of high Lp(a) levels with incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) and major adverse limb events (MALE) (repeat revascularization for target limb and major amputation).