Increase in Lipoprotein (a) levels during COVID-19 hospitalization tied to VTE risk: Study

Netherlands: Results from a pilot study published in the journal Atherosclerosis showed that in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the levels of lipoprotein(a) increase threefold during hospitalization. And, an increase in Lp(a) levels during the COVID-19 acute phase was strongly linked with venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence. In contrast to this, the change in the inflammatory biomarkers interleukin (IL)-6 and CRP was not associated with VTE incidence.

In patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), thrombosis is shown to be a major driver of mortality and adverse outcomes. Hypercoagulability may be related to the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19, which is driven mainly by IL-6. An increase in Lp(a) levels following IL-6 upregulation and Lp(a) has anti-fibrinolytic properties. 

Against the above background, Erik S.G. Stroes, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and colleagues aimed to investigate whether Lp(a) elevation may contribute to the pro-thrombotic state hallmarking COVID-19 patients.

For this purpose, the researchers measured Lp(a), IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in 219 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The baseline biomarkers and increases during admission were related to VTE incidence and clinical outcomes. 

 To conclude, increases in Lp(a) levels during the acute phase of COVID-19 were strongly associated with VTE incidence. The acute increase in anti-fibrinolytic Lp(a) may tilt the balance to VTE in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Reference:

The study titled, "Lipoprotein(a), venous thromboembolism and COVID-19: A pilot study," was published in the journal Atherosclerosis.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.12.008