Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in LPA account for most of the increase in lipoprotein(a) level elevation in African Americans compared with European Americans.

Background: The extent which universally common or population-specific alleles can explain between-population variations in phenotypes is unknown. The heritable coronary heart disease risk factor lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) level provides a useful case study of between-population variation, as the aetiology of twofold higher Lp(a) levels in African populations compared with non-African populations is unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the association between LPA sequence variations and Lp(a) in European Americans and African Americans and to determine the extent to which LPA sequence variations can account for between-population variations in Lp(a).

Lipoprotein(a) and prevalent cardiovascular disease in a dialysis population: The Choices for Healthy Outcomes in Caring for ESRD (CHOICE) study.

Background: Levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], an atherogenic lipoprotein, are elevated in patients with end-stage renal disease and inversely related to the size of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)], a glycoprotein bound to Lp(a). We studied the association of Lp(a) level and apo(a) size with prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in 871 incident dialysis patients (261 blacks, 565 whites, 45 other).

Methods: Lp(a) was measured by an apo(a) size-independent enzyme-linked immunoassay; and apo(a) size was measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose gel electrophoresis.

Small apolipoprotein(a) size predicts mortality in end-stage renal disease: The CHOICE study.

Background: The high mortality rate in end-stage renal disease has engendered interest in nontraditional atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors that are more prevalent in end-stage renal disease, such as elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels. Previous studies suggest that high Lp(a) levels and small apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoform size are associated with ASCVD, but none have investigated the relationship between Lp(a) level, apo(a) size, and mortality.

Methods And Results: An inception cohort of 864 incident dialysis patients was followed prospectively.

Use of a reference material proposed by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine to evaluate analytical methods for the determination of plasma lipoprotein(a).

Background: As part of the NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Contract for the Standardization of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] Measurements, a study was performed in collaboration with the IFCC Working Group for the Standardization of Lp(a) Assays. The aims of the study, performed with the participation of 16 manufacturers and 6 research laboratories, were to evaluate the IFCC proposed reference material (PRM) for its ability to transfer an accuracy-based value to the immunoassay calibrators and to assess concordance in results among different methods.

Methods: Two different purified Lp(a) preparations with protein mass concentrations determined by amino acid analysis were used to calibrate the reference method.