| Field Name |
Data Description |
| Test Name |
Lipoprotein A |
| Code |
Lipoprotein a., Lipo a. |
|
CPT Code |
83695 |
| Last Modified |
4/24/2018 12:59:00 PM |
| Test Name |
Lipopro A. |
| Synonyms |
LPA, Lipopr, LP A, LP, Quantitation of Lpa |
| Patient Preparation |
Intake of alcohol, aspirin, niacin, and estrogen supplementshave the potential of causing a misrepresentation of true Lp(a) concentrations. |
| Spec. Requirements |
Blood |
| Tube |
Red, Gold, Green (Heparin), Lavender (EDTA), or Blue-top (Citrate) tube |
| Collection Volume |
Red 4.0 mL, Gold 3.5 mL, Green (Heparin) 3.5 or 4.0 mL, Lavender (EDTA) 2.0 mL, Blue (Citrate) 2.7 mL |
| Storage |
Refrigerated 14 days or Frozen >14 days |
| Routine TAT |
|
| STAT TAT |
N/A |
| Days Test Performed |
|
| Performed by BHS |
None |
| See Availability |
|
| Reference Lab |
LabCorp of America |
| Reference Lab Code |
120188 Lipoprotein (a) |
| Clinical Use |
Lp(a) determination is intended for use in conjunction with clinical evaluation, patient risk assessment, and other lipid tests to evaluate disorders of lipid metabolism and toassess coronary heart disease in specific populations. Measurement of lipoprotein(a) is now recommended in several patient subgroups for whom excess lipoprotein(a) may have important clinical consequences: (1) patients with premature atherosclerosis, (2) patients with a strong familyhistory of premature coronary heart disease (CHD), (3) patients with elevated LDL-C and greater than or equal to two risk factors, (4) patients who have had coronary angioplasty in whom lipoprotein(a) excess may increase the risk of restenosis, and (5) patients who have undergone coronary bypass graft surgery in whom Lp(a) excess may be associated with graft stenosis.[1,2] Lipoprotein(a) has been called a powerful predictor of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease.[1] As an independent risk factor for premature coronary artery disease, excess Lp(a) concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cardiac death in patients with acute coronary syndromes and with restenosis after angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary bypass procedures. In general, concentrations greater than or equal to 75 nmol/L of Lp(a) in serum are associated with a two- to sixfold increase in risk, depending on the presence of other risk factors. |
| Reference Range |
|
| Critical Value |
|
|
|
| Testing Sample Type |
Serum (Preferred) or Plasma |
| Min Lab Testing Volume |
0.2 mL |
| Special Handling |
Separate serum or plasma from cells as soon as possible (within two hours).
|
| Lab Notes |
Causes for rejection: Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic or icteric specimens
|
| Methodology |
IT - Immunoturbidimetric |
| Limitations |
Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease and cerebral infarction (in white populations) equal to high LDL cholesterol. Serum concentrations are genetically determined. Fifteen percent to 20% of the white population have Lp(a) levels greater than or equal to 75 nmol/L and are presumed to be at risk. Race-dependent differences in Lp(a) concentrations are known. Significance of high Lp(a) in nonwhite populations must be evaluated withcaution. The Lp(a) levels in different ethnic populations can vary widely. Africans, or people of African descent, generally have Lp(a) levels higher than Caucasians and Asians, while Native Americans generally have levels lower than Caucasians. This variability of Lp(a) levels by ethnic population requires careful interpretation of results based on a knowledge of the patient and other cardiac risk factorsthat may be present.[3] |
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