Laboratory: Clinical Biochemistry
Test Name:
LIPOPROTEIN (a) - (P) and (S)
Test Code: LPA
Clinical Information:
Alternate Name(s): Lp(a), Lipoprotein Little a
Test Indications: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels are robustly associated with the risk of coronary heart disease; strongly suggesting a causal association between Lp(a) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The risk increases with increasing Lp(a) levels. Lp(a) concentrations > 100 nmol/L (>50 mg/dL) are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction independent of established CVD risk factors including diabetes mellitus, smoking and high blood pressure.
The 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Guidelines recommend Lp(a) measurement once in a person’s lifetime as part of initial lipid screening.
Recommendations: 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults 
Can J Cardiol. 2021 Aug;37(8):1129-1150. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.03.016
 
Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists Harmonized Clinical Laboratory Lipid Reporting Recommendations on the Basis of the 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Lipid Guidelines 
Can J Cardiol. 2022 Apr 1:S0828-282X(22)00215-X. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.03.019.
 
Collection Devices:
Serum; Plasma (Li Heparin or EDTA) are acceptable.
Specimen Required:

Minimum Volume:  0.5 mL   
Specimen Stability:
Ambient: 8 hours

Refrigerated: 48 hours 

Frozen:  >6 months at -80°C
Referral:
Serum: 1.0 mL

Shipping & Storage: Store and ship frozen. 
Testing Laboratory (MB): Health Science Centre
 
Requisition:
Reference Values:
Reference Intervals: 0-100 nmol/L
Method of Analysis: Particle-Enhanced Immunoturbidimetry
Availability:
Within 1 Week
See Also:
More Information:
References: Kronenberg F. Lipoprotein(a) measurement issues: Are we making a mountain out of a molehill? Atherosclerosis. 2022 May;349:123-135. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.04.008.