Latest:
Research highlights since Lp(a) Forum launch
In the 12 months since Lp(a) Forum was launched in April 2024, we have seen some remarkable progress in the field of Lp(a) research. As scientists, we now understand a lot more about the atherogenicity of Lp(a) particles, and the specific lipid components, such as diacylglycerols (DG) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), that contribute to their atherogenicity.
Dr Elias Björnson, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, discusses some memorable scientific advances and clinical developments in the field of Lp(a) research and looks forward to further investigations that will translate these findings into real world practice.
First Closed Scientific Expert Meeting of the Editorial Board
About Lp(a) Forum
The Lp(a) Forum is a new, independent, non-profit, expert-led, global initiative providing clinicians and researchers worldwide with open access, peer-reviewed resources devoted to the exciting and rapidly developing area of Lp(a) science and therapeutics.
The Forum brings together internationally-recognised experts from the scientific and clinical communities who are committed to developing awareness, knowledge and understanding of the importance of Lp(a) as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis, even when LDL-cholesterol levels are low… Read more
Free Membership
Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor John Chapman, invites you to join Lp(a) Forum for open access to multimedia educational resources about Lp(a) science, management and research.
Why do we need this Forum?
In recent years, unequivocal evidence has been published supporting Lp(a) as a target for lipid lowering therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk in individuals with significantly elevated Lp(a) levels. Innovative Lp(a) targeted therapies are in development and there is now an urgent need for reliable, accessible scientific and clinical information about Lp(a) for the clinical and scientific community that is appropriate for all levels of expertise and interest.
Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor John Chapman, turns the spotlight on the accumulating observational, genetic and mechanistic evidence supporting Lp(a) as an independent, causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and discusses the promise of novel Lp(a)-lowering agents in development.
Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor Henry Ginsberg, explains why the time is right to focus on Lp(a) as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and to ensure that current knowledge and news of future advances are accessible to clinicians and researchers worldwide.
Expert Views
The importance of Lp(a) testing
Professor Keith Ferdinand, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA, highlights the importance of testing Lp(a) levels.
Lp(a) and coronary plaque progression
Professor Marc Dweck, University of Edinburgh, UK, reports recent imaging research that links Lp(a) to progression of the most unstable coronary plaques.
The genetics of Lp(a)
Professor Florian Kronenberg, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria, shows how the genetics of Lp(a) is informing links with cardiovascular outcomes.
Diversity in Lp(a) across ancestry and gender
Professor Pia Kamstrup, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark, discusses the evidence and its implications for cardiovascular risk in different populations.
Lipoprotein(a) as a CVD risk factor
Dr Anne Langsted, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, considers the pivotal studies that are shaping current clinical practice and future expectations.
Slides
Lp(a): A new causal risk factor for ASCVD and aortic valve stenosis
Download this topical introductory slide deck to Lp(a), developed by Lp(a) Forum Co-Chair, Professor John Chapman, which summarises key evidence supporting the role of Lp(a) as a causal risk factor in cardiovascular disease
Trials
Multiple Lp(a) targeted therapeutics are undergoing extensive clinical trials to investigate their safety, efficacy and tolerability, and potential benefits for cardiovascular outcomes.
Lp(a): What do the guidelines say?
Multiple expert guidelines recognise Lp(a) as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and advise on Lp(a) measurement and treatment as part of broader risk management…
Back to Basics
Back to Basics summarises current thinking on key aspects of Lp(a) science and management
What is Lp(a)
Lp(a) is a plasma lipoprotein that consists of an LDL-like particle in which apolipoprotein B100 is covalently linked to the plasminogen-like protein…
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Lp(a) measurement
Lp(a) level is measured as Lp(a) particle number (nmol/L) or Lp(a) mass concentration (mg/dL), and levels ≥100/125 nmol/L (≥50 mg/dL) are …
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Why test Lp(a)?
Professor Keith Ferdinand, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA, discusses the advantages of Lp(a) testing for patients and their families…
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Lp(a) and CVD
Elevated Lp(a) is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease, ischaemic stroke, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, aortic stenosis and mortality …
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Lp(a) therapies
No Lp(a) targeted therapies have been approved, but experts agree that intensive management of other risk factors is important in individuals with elevated …
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Journal Updates
Brussels Declaration calls for Lp(a) testing in CV health plans The Brussels International Declaration on Lp(a) testing and management has been published in Atherosclerosis …
Lp(a) testing is cost effective in high income countries A new cost effectiveness analysis of Lp(a) testing for primary prevention, carried out …
Waist-to-hip ratio modifies Lp(a) risk of ASCVD Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) significantly modifies the risk of ASCVD associated …
UK lipid guidance recommends Lp(a) measurement in enhanced lipid profiling New UK lipid guidance recommends Lp(a) measurement to be included in enhanced lipid profiling …
Apo(a) isoform size affects Lp(a) response to lipid lowering therapy People with larger apo(a) size have the greatest reduction in Lp(a) level in response to …
Latest Congress Highlights
Delegates at the recent 93rd EAS Congress were left in no doubt of the importance of Lp(a) as a key risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), with new data from a major US study showing Lp(a) as a driver of recurrent ASCVD events. Further presentations linked Lp(a) with coronary events in the presence of few if any traditional risk factors, and with vulnerable plaques. Researchers also reinforced the importance of Lp(a) testing as early in life as possible and provided reassuring evidence that low Lp(a) levels are not linked to dementia.
Upcoming Congress
ESC 2025
29 Aug – 1 Sept, Madrid, Spain.
Other Congress News
At this year’s American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in Chicago, USA (29-31 March 2025), Lp(a) research highlights included results of the Phase 2 ALPACA trial of lepodisiran, the impact of Lp(a) testing on cardiovascular (CV) event reduction, and reasons why testing is not more widespread. In addition, researchers presented data showing the importance of Lp(a) in diabetic retinopathy, the effects of Lp(a) on plaque, and clues that inhibition of Lp(a) oxidation may have contributed to the CV benefits shown in REDUCE-IT in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia.
Video Library
International experts discuss hot topics on all aspects of the epidemiology, genetics and pathophysiology of Lp(a).
