Lipoprotein (a) and coronary heart disease among women: beyond a cholesterol carrier?

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Abstract
Aims With its homology with plasminogen, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] may be related to thrombosis and inflammation. We assessed the role of Lp(a) in coronary heart diseases (CHD) by a recently developed assay that is not affected by the plasminogen-like Kringle-type- 2 repeats. Methods and results Of 32 826 women from the Nurses' Health Study, who provided blood at baseline, we documented 228 CHD events during 8 years of follow-up. Each case was compared with two matched controls. In a multivariable model adjusted for body mass index, family history, hypertension, diabetes, post-menopausal hormone use, physical activity, blood drawing characteristics, and alcohol intake, the odd ratio (OR) for Lp(a) levels ≥30 mg/dL was 1.9(95% CI: 1.3–3.0) when compared with those with Lp(a)30 mg/dL are associated with twice the risk of CHD events among women and may be related to thrombosis and inflammation.