Lp‐PLA2– a novel risk factor for high‐risk coronary and carotid artery disease

• Published in: Journal of internal medicine Vol. 269; no. 1; pp. 94 - 106
• Main Authors: Epps, K. C., Wilensky, R. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2011; Blackwell
• Subjects: 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase - antagonists & inhibitors; 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase - blood; 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase - physiology; acute coronary syndrome; acute myocardial infarction; atherosclerosis; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Cardiology. Vascular system; cardiovascular risk factors; Carotid Artery Diseases - enzymology; cerebrovascular accident; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; coronary artery disease; Coronary Disease - enzymology; Coronary heart disease; Epidemiology; Female; General aspects; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Factors; Stroke - enzymology; Structure-Activity Relationship; Myocardial infarction; coronary artery disease; High risk; Cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular risk factors; Myocardial disease; Epidemiology; Lipoprotein a; Vascular disease; Blood vessel; Atherosclerosis; Cerebrovascular disease; Nervous system diseases; Stroke; Acute; Coronary heart disease; Artery; cerebrovascular accident; Cerebral disorder; Medicine; Carotid; Central nervous system disease; Risk factor; Cardiovascular risk; Circulatory system; Acute coronary syndrome; acute myocardial infarction
• ISSN: 0954-6820; 1365-2796
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2010.02297.x

.  Epps KC, Wilensky RL (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA). Lp‐PLA2– a novel risk factor for high‐risk coronary and carotid artery disease. (Review) J Intern Med2010; 269: 94–106. Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) is at the crossroads of lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response. It is produced by inflammatory cells, bound to LDL and other lipoproteins, and once in the arterial wall facilitates hydrolysis of phospholipids. Elevated serum levels of Lp‐PLA2 have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in healthy populations and in patients with known vascular disease. Here, we review the role of Lp‐PLA2 in the development of atherosclerosis and progression to unstable disease, the utility of Lp‐PLA2 as a risk predictor for coronary and carotid events and the potential clinical benefit of pharmacologic inhibition of Lp‐PLA2.