Why the study?
Prior studies examined coronary artery calcium testing in individuals with elevated lipoprotein(a), but the optimal timing of initial and repeat testing remained uncertain.
Does elevated Lp(a) >50 mg/dL alter the optimal age for initial CAC testing and the interval for repeat testing in adults?
Population
6,700 MESA study participants with baseline Lp(a)
Comparison
Lp(a) >50 mg/dL vs non-elevated Lp(a)
Design
Observational cohort modeling study
Key result
Elevated Lipoprotein(a) was associated with a modestly shorter time to incident CAC>0 compared to non-elevated Lp(a) (4.2–5.8 vs. 4.5–6.2 years) among participants with baseline CAC=0.
Authors
Loading...
May inform earlier CAC screening in high Lp(a); leaves open optimal timing and outcomes before practice change.
Cohort (n=6,700)
Yes
Does elevated Lp(a) >50 mg/dL alter the optimal age for initial CAC testing and the interval for repeat testing in adults?
Elevated Lp(a) modestly shortens the warranty period of a zero CAC score and lowers the modeled age for initial CAC testing, particularly in men with diabetes and women with high risk factor burden.
Khedagi et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Elevated Lipoprotein(a) (n=6,700). Elevated Lipoprotein(a) (>50 mg/dL) vs. Non-elevated Lipoprotein(a) was evaluated on Time to incident CAC>0 among participants with baseline CAC=0. Elevated Lipoprotein(a) was associated with a modestly shorter time to incident CAC>0 compared to non-elevated Lp(a) (4.2–5.8 vs. 4.5–6.2 years) among participants with baseline CAC=0.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: