Extreme Lipoprotein(a) Levels and Improved Cardiovascular Risk Prediction

ObjectivesThe study tested whether extreme lipoprotein(a) levels and/or corresponding LPA risk genotypes improve myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors.BackgroundElevated lipoprotein(a) levels cause MI and CHD. Levels are primarily determined by variation in the LPA gene.MethodsWe followed 8,720 Danish participants in a general population study from 1991 to 1994 through 2011 without losses to follow-up. During this period, 730 and 1,683 first-time MI and CHD events occurred. Using predefined cutpoints for extreme lipoprotein(a) levels and/or corresponding LPA risk genotypes (kringle IV type 2 [KIV-2]) repeat polymorphism, rs3798220, and rs10455872 single nucleotide polymorphisms), we calculated net reclassification indices from <10% to 10% to 19.9% to ≥20% absolute 10-year MI and CHD risk.ResultsFor individuals with lipoprotein(a) levels ≥80th percentile (≥47 mg/dl), 23% (p < 0.001) of MI events and 12% (p < 0.001) of CHD events were reclassified correctly, while no events were reclassified incorrectly for either endpoint. As some incorrect reclassification of individuals with no events occurred, addition of lipoprotein(a) levels ≥80th percentile overall yielded net reclassification indices of +16% (95% confidence interval: 8% to 24%) and +3% (−1% to 8%) for MI and CHD, respectively. Corresponding net reclassification indices for number of KIV-2 repeats ≤21st percentile were +12% (5% to 19%) and +4% (0% to 8%), for rs3798220 carrier status +15% (−14% to 44%) and +10% (−10% to 30%), and for rs10455872 carrier status +16% (6% to 26%) and +2% (−1% to 6%). Considering only individuals at 10% to 19.9% absolute 10-year MI and CHD risk, addition of extreme lipoprotein(a) levels or corresponding LPA risk genotypes improved risk prediction even further.ConclusionsExtreme lipoprotein(a) levels or corresponding LPA KIV-2/rs10455872 risk genotypes substantially improved MI and CHD risk prediction.