title: Lipoprotein(a): an important cardiovascular risk factor and a clinical conundrum.
abstract: Elevated plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) are an emerging risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Recent genetic and epidemiologic data have provided strong evidence for a causal role of Lp(a) in CHD. Despite these developments, which have attracted increasing interest from clinicians and basic scientists, many unanswered questions persist. The true pathogenic mechanism of Lp(a) remains a mystery. Significant uncertainty exists concerning the appropriate use of Lp(a) in the clinical setting. No therapeutic intervention remains that can specifically lower plasma Lp(a) concentrations, although the list of compounds that lower Lp(a) and LDL continues to expand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada. Electronic address: mlk@uwindsor.ca.
authors.forename: Marlys L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Koschinsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Boffa
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a)
keywords: Apolipoprotein(a); Atherosclerosis; Coronary heart disease; Genetics; Lipoprotein(a); Oxidized phospholipids; Risk factors; Thrombosis