A joint study by the Academician G. Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center and Caucasus University, titled “Lipoprotein (a) as an Independent Cardiovascular Risk Factor,” has been published in the internationally peer-reviewed journal Bulgarian Cardiology.
The authors of the study are Lela Kopaleishvili, Tamar Chkhaidze, Sofio Ungiadze, Lela Kapanadze, and Tengiz Verulava.
Article link.
Kopaleishvili, L., Chkhaidze, T., Ungiadze, S., Kapanadze, L., & Verulava, T. Lipoprotein (a) as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Bulgarian Cardiology, 32(2). https://doi.org/10.3897/bgcardio.32.e184927
Bulgarian Cardiology is indexed in Scopus, one of the world’s leading international scientific databases.
The study was carried out through long-standing cooperation between Caucasus University and the Academician G. Chapidze Emergency Cardiology Center. The two institutions have collaborated for many years on joint scientific research projects, demonstrating a strong and sustained partnership in clinical research and academic activity.
Summary
The article examines lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as an independent and predominantly genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Elevated Lp(a) levels contribute to atherosclerotic, thrombotic, and inflammatory processes and are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, and calcific aortic valve stenosis. Approximately one in five people worldwide is estimated to have elevated Lp(a) levels.
The paper reviews the pathophysiology, prevalence, clinical significance, current diagnostic approaches, and emerging treatment options associated with elevated Lp(a). Particular attention is given to novel RNA-based therapies and gene-editing technologies, which may significantly transform the future management of patients with elevated Lp(a) levels.
The authors emphasize that Lp(a) levels are largely determined by genetics and are only minimally influenced by lifestyle changes. In line with current clinical recommendations, Lp(a) testing is advised at least once in adulthood, particularly for individuals at increased cardiovascular risk. Detecting elevated levels can improve individual risk assessment and enable more intensive management of other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
