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Back to Basics Slide Deck Resource
Our Back to Basics slide deck series highlights 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. They include the science of Lp(a), groups at risk of elevated levels, practicalities of Lp(a) testing, the evidence linking Lp(a) with ASCVD, and Lp(a) in primary care cardiovascular risk assessment.
With each deck, there is a video commentary from a member of our Editorial Board of internationally recognised experts, reflecting their own specialist insights into the specific aspects of Lp(a) research included in the slide deck.
Lilly has provided arms’ length sponsorship funding for the Lp(a) Forum Back to Basics Educational Resources but has had no influence or control over the content.
Latest Congress Highlights
For cardiologists and lipidologists attending the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, full results from the Lp(a) HORIZON trial made disappointing listening as presentations confirmed the lack of effect of pelacarsen on cardiovascular outcomes, despite reductions in Lp(a) levels. However, many other research reports at the congress continued to spotlight Lp(a) as an important target for reducing CV risk in patients with elevated levels, together with the need for Lp(a) testing according to current guidelines and gaps in management of patients with raised Lp(a) in clinical practice today.
Second Closed Scientific Expert Meeting of the Editorial Board
Lp(a)HORIZON cardiovascular
outcome trial
Professor Steve Nissen, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA, provides an update of the Lp(a)HORIZON trial – the first study due to report results of Lp(a) reduction on cardiovascular outcomes.
Is Lp(a)-associated cardiovascular risk independent of that associated with LDL-C?
Professor Sam Tsimikas, University of California San Diego, USA, considers the evidence supporting Lp(a) as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Update on the olpasiran clinical development programme
Professor Michelle O’Donoghue, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA, presents data from the Phase 2 OCEAN(a)-DOSE trial and previews the OCEAN(a)-OUTCOMES study.
Elevated Lp(a) and coronary artery disease severity
Professor Ulf Landmesser, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Germany, presents research linking higher Lp(a) levels with more severe and complex-to-treat coronary artery disease.
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
High risk patients: Breaking down barriers to evidence-based care
Professor Keith Ferdinand, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA, discusses how people of African, South Asian and Hispanic descent typically have higher levels of Lp(a) and more ASCVD risk, yet often miss out on essential healthcare interventions.
Clinical trials targeting Lp(a) – What’s new?
Professor Ioanna Gouni-Berthold, University of Cologne, Germany, discusses recently published and ongoing studies of antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs and small molecules targeting Lp(a).
Research highlights since Lp(a) Forum launch
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.
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.
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.
Video Library
International experts discuss hot topics on all aspects of the epidemiology, genetics and pathophysiology of Lp(a).
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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News
Japanese study shows LDL-C reduction does not offset all Lp(a) linked CV risk
Reducing LDL-C to <55 mg/dL (<1.4 mmol/L) in people with coronary artery disease does not fully offset …
Elevated Lp(a) linked to DVT and PE
Elevated Lp(a) is associated with incident venous thromboembolism after adjustment for established thrombotic …
Patients with highest Lp(a) levels may need more frequent tests
An analysis of data from the REDUCE-IT trial of icosapent ethyl in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia and at high …
Low Lp(a) level not linked to serious bleeding
A post hoc analysis from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial of the PCSK9 inhibitor, alirocumab, following acute coronary …
Lp(a)HORIZON study fails to meet primary endpoint
The Lp(a)HORIZON cardiovascular outcomes trial of pelacarsen in more than 8,000 patients with elevated Lp(a) and …
Self-reported data is no guide to elevated Lp(a)
Self-reported data, such as age, sex, family history of MI or stroke, and cardiovascular symptoms, do not accurately predict …
Other Congress News
Amongst the highlights of Lp(a) research on show at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Munich, Germany (28-31 August 2026), were new insights into reductions in oxidised phospholipids associated with decreases in Lp(a) levels following novel siRNA therapy, evidence of the need for systematic Lp(a) testing for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention, and growing understanding of patient groups most likely to show variability in Lp(a) test results. There were also new data about the link between elevated Lp(a) and high risk coronary plaque, and Phase 2 results for a novel small molecule Lp(a) lowering agent.
Upcoming Congress
