Lipoprotein(a)’s Prediction of Cardiovascular Disease Events When Accessed via Electronic Health Records

Study Funding

Kaneka Pharma America: “Lipoprotein(a) Testing at URMC and Referral to Preventive Cardiology Program".

Background/Synopsis

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a cholesterol-containing, genetically determined molecule in our blood. Studies show that an elevated level of Lp(a) can independently predict an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. There are currently no FDA-approved drugs to reduce Lp(a) and cardiovascular disease event risk.

Objective/Purpose

Using the electronic health record (EHR) from the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), we determined how well Lp(a) levels predict future cardiovascular disease events currently and over time.

Methods

Data were collected from the URMC EHR database of patients >= 18 years with and without at least one Lp(a) measurement from January 1st, 2011 to August 1st 2023 . Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate the effect of Lp(a) level on ASCVD events, while adjusting for several demographic factors and previous ASCVD event status. The Lp(a) level was dichotomized into a normal-level group (<=30 mg/dL) and a high-level group (>30 mg/dL).

Results

From January 1st, 2011 to August 1st, 2023, we identified 2,698 patients with at least one Lp(a). Among these individuals, 1,594 did not have an ASCVD event after a baseline Lp(a), while 611 individuals did have an ASCVD event after an Lp(a) baseline measurement. The remaining individuals did not have data on ASCVD status. The mean Lp(a) level was 48 mg/dL among all patients, 45.2 mg/dL among patients without an ASCVD event, and 55.2 mg/dL among patients with an ASCVD event. The normal Lp(a) level range in the URMC lab is <30 mg/dL. Among patients without ASCVD history at baseline, the hazard of an ASCVD event in the high Lp(a) level group is 1.44 times the hazard for the normal Lp(a) level group, with a p-value of 0.008. For patients with a previous ASCVD event, the hazard of an ASCVD event in the high Lp(a) level group is 0.87 times the hazard for the normal Lp(a) level group but not at a statistically significant level (p-value = 0.206).

Conclusions

The level of Lp(a) has a varied effect on the hazard of a future ASCVD event. While high Lp(a) level increased the hazard of future ASCVD event for patients with no ASCVD history, high Lp(a) level does not significantly affect the hazard of future ASCVD event for patients with an ASCVD history. It is vital to measure Lp(a) levels to make active steps toward prevention of ASCVD events in the future.