Lipoprotein(a) levels in population with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the united states: a subanalysis from the lp(a)heritage study

Therapeutic Area: ASCVD/CVD Risk Reduction Background: Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is the most common inherited dyslipidemia leading to an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Several cohort studies have reported elevated Lp(a) prevalence in the general population; however, there is a paucity of data in those with established ASCVD. This sub-analysis of the Lp(a)HERITAGE study (NCT03887520) assessed Lp(a) levels in United States (US) participants with ASCVD, stratified by race, ethnicity, and sex. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of elevated Lp(a) in adult participants (18–80 years of age) with a history of myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke ≥3 months to ≤10 years prior to enrollment (April 2019–July 2021) or symptomatic peripheral artery disease, across 192 US sites. Lp(a) and low-density lipid-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were obtained using US central laboratory or historical data. Results: In total, 8,295 US participants were enrolled. The sub-analysis included 7,679 participants with Lp(a) measured in nmol/L, of which 66.4% were male, 80.5% were White, 16.9% were Black, and 8.0% had Hispanic ethnicity. Compared with the overall population, median Lp(a) was >2.5-fold higher in Black participants (132.0 vs 52.1 nmol/L) and was 21.8% lower in Hispanic participants (40.7 vs 52.1 nmol/L); in females, median Lp(a) levels were >1.5-fold higher than in male participants (69.4 vs 45.6 nmol/L) (Table). Overall, 33.3% of participants had Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L. Prevalence of Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L was highest among Black participants (52.0%) and lowest among Hispanic participants (25.6%); a greater proportion of females had Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L compared with males (38.9% vs 30.4%) (Table). Conclusions: In the Lp(a)HERITAGE study, 33.3% of US participants with established ASCVD had Lp(a) levels ≥125 nmol/L. Compared with the overall population, the proportion of patients with Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L was higher in Black (52.0%) and female (38.9%) participants and was lower in Hispanic participants (25.6%). These findings support more aggressive Lp(a) screening strategies among patients with established ASCVD, particularly female or Black patients. Furthermore, elevated Lp(a) levels can be used to inform the intensification of lifestyle and other risk factor management in clinical practice and may have implications for potential future therapies targeting Lp(a).