Lipoprotein(a) is a predictor for cardiovascular mortality of hemodialysis patients

Lipoprotein(a) is a predictor for cardiovascular mortality of hemodialysis patients. Background Although hemodialysis (HD) patients have been associated with elevations in serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, relatively little has been published on the link between Lp(a) and the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular death in HD patients. Methods Lipoprotein(a) was measured in 390 HD patients. The relationship between Lp(a) and mortality (overall and cardiovascular) was determined during 28 months of prospective follow-up. Results Hemodialysis patients demonstrated Lp(a) concentrations that were approximately two times as high as that of healthy controls (median, 16 vs. 8 mg/dl, P P P P Conclusions Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular death in Japanese patients receiving chronic dialysis therapy.