Emerging Lipid Biomarkers and Cardiovascular Risk

Elevations in lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) have been linked to excess cardiovascular risk. Recently published lipid guidelines recommend using these biomarkers to guide risk stratification and tailor treatment decisions, but there is limited evidence to support their practical role in clinical decision-making.

In this study, researchers pooled three large U.S.-based cohorts to identify ~10,000 adults (mean age, 48 years) without cardiovascular disease at baseline; they then examined whether integrating Lp(a) and apoB into the PREVENT base model improves the prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Median follow-up was 21 years, and ~1100 ASCVD events occurred.