Association of Lipoprotein(a) With Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression

BACKGROUND Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction, although the mechanism for this observation remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate whether Lp(a) is associated with adverse plaque progression. METHODS Lp(a) was measured in patients with advanced stable coronary artery disease undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography at baseline and 12 months to assess progression of total, calcific, noncalcific, and low-attenuation plaque (necrotic core) in particular. High Lp(a) was defined as Lp(a) >= 70 mg/dL. The relationship of Lp(a) with plaque progression was assessed using linear regression analysis, adjusting for body mass index, segment involvement score, and ASSIGN score (a Scottish cardiovascular risk score comprised of age, sex, smoking, blood pressure, total and high-density lipoprotein [HDL]-cholesterol, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and deprivation index). RESULTS A total of 191 patients (65.9 +/- 8.3 years of age; 152 [80%] male) were included in the analysis, with median Lp(a) values of 100 (range: 82 to 115) mg/dL and 10 (range: 5 to 24) mg/dL in the high and low Lp(a) groups, respectively. At baseline, there was no difference in coronary artery disease severity or plaque burden. Patients with high Lp(a) showed accelerated progression of low-attenuation plaque compared with low Lp(a) patients (26.2 +/- 88.4 mm(3) vs -0.7 +/- 50.1 mm(3); P = 0.020). Multivariable linear regression analysis confirmed the relation between Lp(a) and lowattenuation plaque volume progression (b = 10.5% increase for each 50 mg/dL Lp(a), 95% CI: 0.7%-20.3%). There was no difference in total, calcific, and noncalcific plaque volume progression. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with advanced stable coronary artery disease, Lp(a) is associated with accelerated progression of coronary low-attenuation plaque (necrotic core). This may explain the association between Lp(a) and the high residual risk of myocardial infarction, providing support for Lp(a) as a treatment target in atherosclerosis. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevieron behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Automated summary

Among patients with advanced stable coronary artery disease, elevated Lp(a) levels are associated with accelerated progression of coronary low-attenuation plaque (necrotic core). This finding may explain the increased risk of myocardial infarction in individuals with high Lp(a) levels and supports Lp(a) as a potential treatment target for atherosclerosis.