Lipoprotein(a) as a prognostic biomarker for the severity and course of venous thromboembolism

Abstract

Introduction Lipoprotein(a) is a known risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs). Because of the plasminogen-like structure of Lp(a), which indicates an antifibrinolytic effect, it is thought to also influence the development and course of venous thromboembolism (VTEs). Several studies have already investigated the association between elevated Lp(a) levels and the risk of VTEs and obtained inconsistent results. Objective This work aims to show whether there is a correlation between Lp(a) concentration and the severity of pulmonary embolism. Methods We conducted a retrospective data analysis from the medical registry of patients treated for pulmonary embolism at the Department of Angiology, University Hospital Graz, Austria. Patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and with measured Lp(a) concentration were included. For statistical analysis, pulmonary embolism cases were divided into 4 groups based on severity in accordance with the 2019 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism: -low-risk, -intermediate-low-risk, -intermediate-high-risk, and -high-risk. The study period was from January 1, 2002, to August 1, 2020. Results We analyzed 1,171 patients with PE, of whom 450 (38%) had low-risk PE, 508 (43%) had intermediate-low-risk PE, 104 (9%) had intermediate-high-risk PE, and 109 (9%) had high-risk PE, respectively. Median Lp(a) concentrations were 15 mg/dL [25th-75th percentile: 10-34], 15 mg/dL [10-33], 13 mg/dL [10-41], and 13 mg/dL [10-29], respectively. Conclusion We did not observe a correlation between Lp(a) concentration and pulmonary embolism severity.

Datum der Bewilligung	2024
Originalsprache	Englisch
Gradverleihende Hochschule	Medizinische Universität Graz
Betreuer/-in	Thomas Gary (Betreuer*in) & Paul Georg Gressenberger (Mitbetreuer*in)