Celebrating Lp(a) Awareness Day 2022 today!
Celebrating Lp(a) Awareness Day 2022 today!
Randox are raising awareness for Lipoprotein(a), we want to drive awareness on tests that are available to you to decrease the risk of stroke, heart attack or other heart diseases.
Lp(a) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and related diseases including CHD and stroke. It is increasingly recognised as the strongest known genetic risk factor for premature coronary artery disease. The biggest challenge that exists surrounding Lp(a) measurement is the heterogeneity of the apolipoprotein(a) isoforms, resulting in the underestimation or overestimation of Lp(a) concentrations.
Benefits of the Randox Lp(a) assay
WHO/IFCC reference material – The Randox Lp(a) assay is calibrated in nmol/l and traceable to the WHO/IFCC reference material (IFCC SRM 2B) and provides an acceptable bias compared with the Northwest Lipid Metabolism Diabetes Research Laboratory (NLMDRKL) gold standard method.
Dedicated calibrator & control available – Five point calibrator with accuracy-based assigned target values (in nmol/l) is available, accurately reflecting the heterogeneity of the apo(a) isoforms. Dedicated Lp(a) control is available offering a complete testing package.
Excellent correlation – A correlation coefficient of r=0.995 was displayed when the Randox method was compared against other commercially available methods.
Excellent precision – The Randox Lp(a) assay displayed a within run precision of <2.54%.
Liquid ready-to-use – The Randox Lp(a) assay is available in a liquid ready-to-use format for convenience and ease-of-use.
Applications available – Instrument-specific settings can be provided for a wide range of clinical chemistry analysers.
The biggest challenge that exists surrounding Lp(a) measurement is the heterogeneity of the apo(a) isoforms, resulting in the underestimation or overestimation of Lp(a) concentrations. In immunoassays, the variable numbers of repeated KIV-2 units in Lp(a) act as multiple epitopes. This is where standardisation across calibrators is vital. Unless the calibrants do have the same range of isoforms as test samples, those with higher numbers of the KIV-2 repeat, will represent with an overestimation in Lp(a) concentrations and those with smaller numbers of the KIV-2 repeat, will represent with an underestimation. The smaller isoforms are strongly associated with higher Lp(a) concentrations. Lack of standardisation of the calibrant would result in an underestimation of Lp(a) associated CVD risk. It is important to note that an Lp(a) immunoassay employing isoform insensitive antibodies does not exist.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lp(a) has been identified to be a key risk factor for cardiovascular complications in individuals with COVID-19!
It is well documented that pre-existing comorbidities such as diabetes and CVD are associated with greater severity and higher fatality rates in those with COVID-19. Those with either baseline elevated Lp(a) or those whose Lp(a) levels increased following infection from COVID-19, or both, maybe at a significantly increased risk of developing thromboses. Elevated Lp(a) levels may cause acute destabilisation of pre-existing but quiescent, atherosclerotic plaques, which could induce an acute myocardial infarction or stroke.
Identifying any possible health conditions that would relate to early signs of stroke, heart attack or other heart diseases will allow you to make any decisions on an appropriate diet, lifestyle changes and early treatment to reduce your risk of further problems.
For more information about Lp(a):
Visit our website: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] | Reagents | Randox Laboratories
Or email: marketing@randox.com
Lp(a) Calibrator
Lp(a) Control
Lipid EQA Scheme
Reagents Resource Hub
Lipid Reagents
Randox Lipids Reagents
Lipid tests are used to assess an individual’s risk of heart attack or stroke. Lipid tests are the most important of the cardiac risk tests as they provide a clear indication of whether someone is likely to have a coronary event caused by a blockage of the blood vessels or atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries caused by build-up of fatty deposits).
A complete lipid profile involves routine tests such as Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol to measure the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood. An extended lipid profile measures emerging risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Key Benefits
Lipid tests are vital for risk assessment
Lipid tests are used to assess an individual’s risk of heart attack or stroke. Lipid tests are the most important of the cardiac risk tests as they provide a clear indication of whether someone is likely to have a coronary event caused by a blockage of the blood vessels or atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries caused by build-up of fatty deposits).
Lipid tests aim to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease by screening for abnormalities of triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the blood. Triglycerides and cholesterol contribute to the build-up of fatty deposits, and thus lipid profiling enables preventative measures to be taken to maintain safe levels and reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease.
A complete lipid profile involves routine tests such as Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol to measure the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood. An extended lipid profile measures emerging risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Routine Tests
Routine tests include a Total Cholesterol test assessing overall cholesterol levels, a HDL Cholesterol test to measure the level of ‘good cholesterol’ in the blood, an LDL Cholesterol test to measure the level of ‘bad cholesterol’ in the blood, and a Triglycerides test assessing triglyceride levels (of which high levels are associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease).
Extended analysis of blood lipids and emerging risk factors
In addition to the conventional lipid profile Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides, we also have extended tests which can provide extra information on a patient’s lipid profile. This includes measurement of lipoproteins and their counterparts, apolipoproteins, which have the role of transferring triglycerides, cholesterol and other fats to appropriate cells for metabolism. Measurement of these allows investigation into why abnormal lipid levels may be occurring.
Apolipoprotein A-I (removes excess cholesterol from extra-hepatic tissues) test is used to find the cause of high lipid levels and discover if a disorder is causing Apo A-I deficiency
Apolipoprotein B (the main protein in LDL cholesterol aka ‘bad cholesterol’) test is used as an extended risk assessment of cardiovascular disease; elevated levels indicate increased risk even when total and LDL cholesterol levels are normal.
Apo A-I and Apo B are useful to assess patients with a personal or family history of high concentrations of lipids and/or heart diseases, for diagnosis of conditions causing elevated lipid levels, for monitoring the effectiveness of lipid lowering treatments, and, when used together they can determine Apo B/Apo A-I ratio as an alternative to total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio when determining CVD risk.
Analysis of emerging risk factors also contributes to risk assessment of cardiovascular disease:
Lipoprotein (a) levels are genetically determined and remain fairly constant as they are not affected by lifestyle factors such as diet. High levels can occur in individuals with an otherwise normal lipid profile and can increase risk of cardiovascular disease. It is recommended that patients who have developed cardiovascular disease at a young age or those with a family history of premature heart disease be tested.
sdLDL Cholesterol, a subtype of LDL Cholesterol aka ‘bad cholesterol’ is a vital marker for heart attack; elevated levels are associated with a three-fold increased risk of heart attack
Apolipoprotein A-II, a major constituent of HDL Cholesterol, plays an important role in reverse cholesterol transport and lipid metabolism; the production of Apo A-II levels determine the distribution of Apo A-I in HDL (Apo A-I removes excess cholesterol), and therefore increased production of Apo A-II promotes atherosclerosis
Apolipoprotein C-II, an aid in the assessment of CVD; Apo C-II deficiency can lead to hypertriglyceridemia (elevated triglyceride levels) in patients
Apolipoprotein C-III, an aid in CVD risk assessment with elevated levels associated with both primary and secondary hypertriglyceridemia, in addition to being reported higher in patients with type 2 diabetes, hyperbilirubinemia, kidney deficiency and decreased thyroid function
Apolipoprotein E, responsible for the transport of triglycerides to the liver and distribution of cholesterol between cells; deficiency can lead to premature atherosclerosis
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