Serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations do not change significantly in the immediate seven-day period post myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: Lipoprotein(a) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease and its variability after myocardial infarction was assessed in this study.

Methods: Lipoprotein(a) was analysed by a size insensitive latex immunoturbidimetric end point assay in samples from days 0 to 7 in 31 patients admitted with myocardial infarction.

Results: Median lipoprotein(a) changed by -0.9%, -0.1% and 9.6% on days 1, 2-3 and 4-7, respectively, and was not statistically significant. Median total cholesterol reduced by 8.7%, 9.1%, 14.5% and C-reactive protein increased by 68.4%, 510%, 502% over days 1, 2-3, 4-7, respectively.

Conclusions: Unlike total cholesterol and C-reactive protein, lipoprotein(a) does not demonstrate significant variability for up to seven days after myocardial infarction and measurements made during this period after myocardial infarction are physiologically meaningful.

Keywords: Lipoprotein(a); acute-phase reactant; cardiovascular disease; cholesterol; myocardial infarction.