Prevention & lipidsCohort study
The impact of lipoprotein(a) on coronary atherosclerotic plaque phenotype in primary prevention
- Retrospective cohort study
- plaque-level analysis
- AI-based quantitative coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) (AI-QCT)
Authors' conclusion
In this plaque-level CCTA study of 3642 individual plaques, elevated Lp(a) levels were independently associated with increased noncalcified plaque volume and with the presence of HRP, but not with calcified plaque volume.
Study context
- Population
- Patients who underwent coronary CT angiography with Lp(a) measured, 2008–2024 (primary prevention)3,642 plaques
- Participants
- 710 patients
- Exposure
- Elevated Lp vs lower Lp
- Outcome
- Association of Lp(a) with noncalcified and calcified plaque volumes and HRP features at the plaque level
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Plaque phenotype (adjusted plaque-level analysis)
Adjusted odds ratio
1.78
95% CI 1.25–2.54
P = 0.001
Elevated Lp(a) (≥150 nmol/L) vs lower Lp(a)
adjusted OR 1.78 (95% CI 1.25–2.54); P = 0.001
- Elevated Lp(a) associated with increased noncalcified plaque volume per plaque
- P = 0.009
- Elevated Lp(a) not associated with increased calcified plaque volume
- P = 0.81
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
LDL-C and high-sensitivity CRP vs presence of high-risk plaque (HRP)
- LDL-C and high-sensitivity CRP not associated with HRP
- P > 0.05
Original publication
The impact of lipoprotein(a) on coronary atherosclerotic plaque phenotype in primary prevention. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 29 April 2026. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwag243
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it