IRVINE, CA, April 14, 2024 – In the largest and most ethnically diverse long-term study of the U.S. population, a team of researchers at the University of California, Irvine, found that a poorly recognized genetic cholesterol-like particle called lipoprotein(a) exists. I discovered that. [Lp(a)] Helps predict future cardiovascular disease.

The study was published online today. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, five major prospective studies in the United States found that elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with future atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, particularly heart attack and revascularization, in a cohort of more than 27,000 adults. has been shown to predict death from stroke and coronary heart disease. Cardiovascular disease was followed for an average of 21 years.

Researchers led by Dr. Nathan D. Wong, professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of California, Irvine and director of the Heart Disease Prevention Program in the Department of Cardiology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, found that Lp( a) <50 level of^th percentile, those with a level above 90^th percentile (mean 53 mg/dL) had a 46% higher risk of overall ASCVD events. More importantly, Lp(a) was an even stronger predictor of ASCVD events in diabetic patients. For those with diabetes at baseline, this risk was 92% higher, but the risk of future heart attack, revascularization, stroke, and death from coronary heart disease was 66%, 68%, and 26%, respectively. It was 32% higher.

“Lp(a) stands out as the strongest genetic risk factor for cardiovascular disease, affecting 1 in 5 people, yet less than 1% of Americans know their levels. ” said Wong. “Our study supports recent US recommendations to measure Lp(a) at least once in all adults,” Wong said.

The study featured participants who were 55% female and 36% African American, as well as Asian and Hispanic participants, and investigated the relationship between Lp(a) and cardiovascular outcomes. This is the largest and most ethnically diverse U.S. long-term study examined.

“Our findings show that elevated Lp(a) levels predict outcomes similarly in women and men and across racial/ethnic groups,” said the University of California, Irvine, Department of Epidemiology and Medicine. said Wenjun Huang, MD, assistant professor and lead co-investigator. Author of the study. “African Americans and South Asians have higher Lp(a) levels than other racial/ethnic groups, further highlighting the importance of Lp(a) in these groups.”

Current U.S. recommendations include statins and other preventive therapies for patients with Lp(a) levels of 50 mg/dL (or 125 nmol/L) or higher to reduce overall cardiovascular disease risk. Although increased efforts are recommended, Dr. Wong points out that there are some new risks. RNA-targeted therapies that reduce Lp(a) by up to 80-100% are currently under development, and results from ongoing clinical trials investigating their impact on cardiovascular outcomes are expected to be published in the next few years.

This study examines the measurement of Lp(a) in all adults to further document the important role of Lp(a) in cardiovascular disease and to identify those who can benefit from risk reduction efforts. It emphasizes the importance. “The inability to screen and identify patients at Lp(a)-related risk presents an opportunity to address this threat with existing treatment repertoires as well as promising Lp(a)-targeted therapies currently in development. It means we’re missing out on the future,” Wong said.