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The Riskier Lipid: What Is on the HORIZON for Lipoprotein (a) and Should There Be Lp(a) Screening for All?

  • Lipid Abnormalities and Cardiovascular Prevention (ED Michos, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Despite widespread targeting of cardiovascular risk factors, many patients continue to experience clinical events. This residual risk has stimulated efforts to develop novel therapeutic approaches to target additional factors underscoring cardiovascular disease. This review aimed to summarize existing evidence supporting targeting of Lp(a) as a novel cardioprotective strategy.

Recent Findings

Increasing evidence has implicated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in the pathogenesis of both atherosclerotic and calcific aortic valve disease. Therapeutic advances have produced novel agents that selectively lower Lp(a) levels, which have now progressed to evaluate their impact on cardiovascular events in large clinical outcome trials.

Summary

Evidence continues to accumulate suggesting that targeting Lp(a) may be effective in reducing cardiovascular risk. With advances in Lp(a) targeted therapeutics, clinical trials now have the opportunity to determine whether this strategy will be effective for high-risk patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia

    Stephen J. Nicholls

  2. Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    Kristen J. Bubb

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Correspondence to Stephen J. Nicholls.

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Conflict of Interest

SJN reports receiving research support from AstraZeneca, Amgen, Anthera, Eli Lilly, Esperion, Novartis, Cerenis, The Medicines Company, Resverlogix, InfraReDx, Roche, Sanofi-Regeneron, and LipoScience, is a consultant for AstraZeneca, Akcea, Eli Lilly, Anthera, Omthera, Merck, Takeda, Resverlogix, Sanofi-Regeneron, CSL Behring, Esperion, Boehringer Ingelheim, and is a member of the executive steering committee of the HORIZON trial. KJB has no potential conflicts to disclose.

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Nicholls, S.J., Bubb, K.J. The Riskier Lipid: What Is on the HORIZON for Lipoprotein (a) and Should There Be Lp(a) Screening for All?. Curr Cardiol Rep 23, 97 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-021-01528-w

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