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Test ID LPAWS Lipoprotein (a) Cholesterol, Serum

Useful For

Evaluation of increased risk for cardiovascular disease and events:

-Most appropriately measured in individuals at intermediate risk for cardiovascular disease

-Patients with early atherosclerosis or strong family history of early atherosclerosis without explanation by traditional risk factors should also be considered for testing

 

Follow-up evaluation of patients with measurable lipoprotein(a) protein (LIPA)

Method Name

Electrophoresis, Enzyme Staining, and Densitometry

Reporting Name

Lp(a) Cholesterol, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Collection Container/Tube: 

Preferred: Red top

Acceptable: Serum gel

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.4 mL

Collection Instructions: Fasting (8 hours before collection and abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before collection)

Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Cardiovascular Test Request Form (T724) with the specimen (http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/cardiovascular-request-form.pdf).

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  60 days

Clinical Information

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is a highly heterogeneous molecule, consisting of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with a highly glycosylated apolipoprotein(a) (apo[a]) covalently linked to the apolipoprotein B moiety of LDL via a single disulfate bond. Lp(a) has been associated with atherogenesis and promotion of thrombosis. Increased levels of Lp(a) have been estimated to confer a 1.5 to 3.0-fold increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) in many but not all studies. Apo(a) has approximately 80% structural homology with plasminogen, but does not contain the active site for fibrin cleavage. One proposed mechanism for Lp(a)'s atherogenicity is competition for binding sites with plasminogen during fibrin clot formation and the resulting inhibition of fibrinolysis. Recently a high correlation was demonstrated between Lp(a) and oxidized LDL, suggesting that the atherogenicity of Lp(a) lipoprotein may be mediated in part by associated proinflammatory oxidized phospholipids.

 

The heterogeneity of Lp(a) arises mainly from the variable number of kringle repeats in the apo(a) portion of the molecule. Kringles are specific structural domains containing 3 intra-strand disulfide bonds that are highly homologous to similar repeats found in plasminogen.

 

In the clinical laboratory, immunologic methods are generally used to quantify Lp(a) protein mass. Reagents for Lp(a) mass measurement are available from multiple manufacturers and although standardization efforts are underway, currently available methods are not standardized. Difficulties in standardizing Lp(a) mass measurement arise from the variability in signals produced by different reagents due to the size polymorphisms of apo(a). For this reason, some elevations of Lp(a) mass are associated with low levels of Lp(a) cholesterol. Lp(a) quantification can be done by densitometric measurement of Lp(a) cholesterol. This method measures only the cholesterol contained in the Lp(a) particles and is thus not influenced by the relative size of the apo(a) particle. Because Lp(a) cholesterol measurement is not influenced by apo(a) size, it may provide a more specific assessment of cardiovascular risk than Lp(a) mass measurement. Lp(a) cholesterol measurement may be used in concert with Lp(a) mass determination, or may be used as a stand-alone test for assessment of risk.

Reference Values

Lp(a) CHOLESTEROL

Normal: <3 mg/dL

Suggests increased risk of coronary artery disease: ≥3 mg/dL

 

LpX

Undetectable

Cautions

Lp(a) cholesterol values should not be confused with Lp(a) mass values, although they may be correlated in some individual cases. Lp(a) cholesterol values will be approximately 10 times lower than Lp(a) mass values, but the difference between the measures is not uniform. Lp(a) mass values are considered elevated when >30 mg/dL. Lp(a) cholesterol is increased if ≥3 mg/dL.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.

Report Available

2 days (not reported on Saturday or Sunday)

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been modified from the manufacturer’s instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

83700

NY State Approved

Yes