Lipoprotein(a) and coronary atheroma progression rates during long-term high-intensity statin therapy: Insights from SATURN. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Puri, Rishi; Ballantyne, Christie M.; Hoogeveen, Ron C.; Shao, Mingyuan; Barter, Philip; Libby, Peter; Chapman, M. John; Erbel, Raimund; Arsenault, Benoit J.; Raichlen, Joel S.; Nissen, Steven E.; Nicholls, Stephen J.
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 263(2017)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Statins -- IVUS -- Lipoprotein(a) -- Atherosclerosis -- Residual risk; SATURN Study of Coronary Atheroma by Intravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin -- LDL-C low-density lipoprotein cholesterol -- HDL-C high-density lipoprotein cholesterol -- TG triglyceride -- CRP C-reactive protein -- Lp(a) lipoprotein(a) -- PAV percent atheroma volume -- MACE major adverse cardiovascular events; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.06.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Background & aims: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-like particle that associates with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We examined relationships between Lp(a) measurements and changes in coronary atheroma volume following long-term maximally-intensive statin therapy in coronary artery disease patients. Methods: Study of coronary atheroma by intravascular ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin (SATURN) used serial intravascular ultrasound measures of coronary atheroma volume in patients treated with rosuvastatin 40 mg or atorvastatin 80 mg for 24 months. Baseline and follow-up Lp(a) levels were measured in 915 of the 1039 SATURN participants, and were correlated with changes in percent atheroma volume (ΔPAV). Results: Mean age was 57.7 ± 8.6 years, 74% were men, 96% were Caucasian, with statin use prior to study enrolment occurring in 59.3% of participants. Baseline [median (IQR)] LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and measured Lp(a) levels (mg/dL) were 114 (99, 137) and 17.4 (7.6, 52.9) respectively; follow-up measures were 60 (47, 77), and 16.5 (6.7, 57.7) (change from baseline: p < 0.001, p = 0.31 respectively). At baseline, there were 676 patients with Lp(a) levels <50 mg/dL [median Lp(a) of 10.9 mg/dL], and 239 patients with Lp(a) levels ≥ 50 mg/dL [median Lp(a) of 83.2 mg/dL]. Quartiles of baseline and follow-up Lp(a) did not associate with ΔPAV. Irrespective of the achieved LDL-C (< vs. ≥70 mg/dL), neither baseline nor on-treatment (< vs. ≥median) Lp(a) levels significantly associated with ΔPAV. No significant differences were observed in ΔPAV in Lp(a) risers versus non-risers, nor in those patients with baseline or on-treatment Lp(a) levels < vs. > 50 mg/dL. Conclusions: In coronary artery disease patients prescribed long-term maximally intensive statin therapy with low on-treatment LDL-C levels, measured Lp(a) levels (predominantly below the 50 mg/dL threshold) do not associate with coronary atheroma progression. Alternative biomarkers may thus associate with residual cardiovascular risk in such patients. Highlights: In patients treated with 24-months of maximally intensive statin therapy, Lp(a) levels did not associate with coronary atheroma progression-regression. The majority of patients displayed net coronary atheroma volume regression, including patients with Lp(a) levels ≤ 50 mg/dL (median 11 mg/dL) and >50 mg/dL (median 83 mg/dL). No relationship between changes in plaque volume were evident with Lp(a) across all levels of LDL-C and CRP. Significant associations with MACE were noted in those patients with higher Lp(a) levels and lower CRP, who demonstrated lower MACE compared with those with higher CRP.