Elevated lipoprotein (a) – an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease – recommendations for measuring and treatment

Autori:

Željko Reiner, Davor Miličić, Dunja Rogić, Šime Manola, Alen Ružić, Silvija Canecki-Varžić, Ivica Kristić, Bilić-Lidija Zulle, Lovorka Đerek, Vatroslav Šerić, Leida Tandara

Sažetak
Smjernice međunarodnih stručnih društava ukazuju da je povišena koncentracija lipoproteina(a) [Lp(a)] u krvi dugoročni neovisni čimbenik rizika za razvitak aterosklerotske kardiovaskularne bolesti (ASKVB), kao i za kalcifikacijsku stenozu aortnih zalistaka. Cilj je ovog članka koji je rezultat konsenzusa nacionalnih stručnjaka iz tog područja predstaviti najnovije spoznaje o dijagnostici i sadašnjim mogućnostima liječenja bolesnika s povišenom koncentracijom Lp(a) u krvi koje su u ovom trenutku skromne, ali i naznačiti buduće mogućnosti liječenja koje su na pomolu. Zaključak koji se može postaviti na temelju dosadašnjih spoznaja upućuje da postoji neposredna korist za bolesnike u mjerenju koncentracije Lp(a), čak i ako potpuno učinkovito farmakološko liječenje još nije dostupno. Mjerenje Lp(a) olakšava bržu i pouzdaniju identifikaciju bolesnika s visokim kardiovaskularnim rizikom i bolje upravljanje tim rizikom, odnosno upućuje na potrebu intenzivnijeg smanjivanja i liječenja ostalih čimbenika rizika za ASKVB ako je Lp(a) značajnije povećan. Izražavanje koncentracije Lp(a) preporučuje se u nmol/L izmjerene metodama kalibriranim kalibratorima čija je koncentracija izražena u nmol/L.
Summary

The guidelines of international professional societies indicate that elevated concentration of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in the blood is a long-term independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), as well as for calcification stenosis of the aortic valves. The aim of this document which was produced as a consensus document of the authors who are national experts in the field is to present the latest knowledge about diagnostics and current treatment options for patients with elevated Lp(a) concentrations in the blood, which are modest at the moment, but also to indicate future treatment options that are on the horizon. The conclusion that can be made on the basis of current knowledge indicates that there is an immediate benefit for patients in measuring the concentration of Lp(a), even if fully effective pharmacological treatment is not yet available. Measurement of Lp(a) facilitates faster and more reliable identification of patients with high cardiovascular risk and better management of that risk, i.e. it indicates the need for more intensive reduction and treatment of other risk factors for ASCVD if Lp(a) is significantly increased. It is recommended to express the concentration of Lp(a) in nmol/L measured by methods calibrated with calibrators whose concentration is expressed in nmol/L.