Higher lipoprotein(a) burden in women undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
- 1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- 2Central Institute of Clinical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Abstract
Background High lipoprotein (a) is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Lp(a) lowering medications are under investigation in clinical trials. We aimed to assess sex/gender-specific differences in the distribution of Lp(a) levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods This is a prospective, cross-sectional observational trial including patients undergoing CABG. Patients were classified into Lp(a) categories (Lp(a) (nmol/l) < 62, > 105; ≥ 150; ≥ 175; ≥ 200). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to test for sex/gender-specific differences in Lp(a) distribution. Results Out of all 413 patients undergoing CABG between 11/2024 and 02/2026, 300 patients signed informed consent and 404 had available Lp(a) values. Women were significantly older (p < 0.001), more often never smokers (p = 0.001) and more frequently had a positive family history (p = 0.001). Median Lp(a) levels did not significantly differ between male and female patients in all 404 patients with available Lp(a) levels (27.8 (IQR 118) versus 37.4 (IQR 206.4); p = 0.165). Female patients were significantly more often distributed in Lp(a) categories > 105 nmol/l, ≥ 150 nmol/l, ≥ 175 nmol/l and ≥ 200 nmol/l, also after adjustment in multivariate analysis. Conclusion A sex/gender-specific difference in Lp(a) distribution was observed. Female patients were more often distributed in higher Lp(a) categories than men, especially in Lp(a) categories > 105, ≥ 150, ≥ 175 and ≥ 200 nmol/l. If Lp(a) lowering agents prove to be effective in clinical trials and currently investigated Lp(a) thresholds are adopted, female patients undergoing CABG may represent a subgroup more likely meeting future treatment eligibility criteria for Lp(a) lowering therapies. The observed difference in Lp(a) distribution may yield a potential contributor to the consistently reported poorer clinical outcomes in women after CABG and warrants further investigation.
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BibTeX
@article{abfalterer2026higher,
title = {{Higher lipoprotein(a) burden in women undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting}},
author = {Hannes Abfalterer and Laura Renz and Christopher Klingler and Lena Gerlach and Valentina Corradini and Nikolaos Bonaros and Michael Grimm and Andrea Griesmacher and Elfriede Ruttmann-Ulmer},
journal = {Lipids in Health and Disease},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12944-026-03019-9},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-026-03019-9},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Higher lipoprotein(a) burden in women undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
AU - Hannes Abfalterer
AU - Laura Renz
AU - Christopher Klingler
AU - Lena Gerlach
AU - Valentina Corradini
AU - Nikolaos Bonaros
AU - Michael Grimm
AU - Andrea Griesmacher
AU - Elfriede Ruttmann-Ulmer
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Lipids in Health and Disease
DO - 10.1186/s12944-026-03019-9
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-026-03019-9
AB - Background High lipoprotein (a) is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Lp(a) lowering medications are under investigation in clinical trials. We aimed to assess sex/gender-specific differences in the distribution of Lp(a) levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods This is a prospective, cross-sectional observational trial including patients undergoing CABG. Patients were classified into Lp(a) categories (Lp(a) (nmol/l) < 62, > 105; ≥ 150; ≥ 175; ≥ 200). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to test for sex/gender-specific differences in Lp(a) distribution. Results Out of all 413 patients undergoing CABG between 11/2024 and 02/2026, 300 patients signed informed consent and 404 had available Lp(a) values. Women were significantly older (p < 0.001), more often never smokers (p = 0.001) and more frequently had a positive family history (p = 0.001). Median Lp(a) levels did not significantly differ between male and female patients in all 404 patients with available Lp(a) levels (27.8 (IQR 118) versus 37.4 (IQR 206.4); p = 0.165). Female patients were significantly more often distributed in Lp(a) categories > 105 nmol/l, ≥ 150 nmol/l, ≥ 175 nmol/l and ≥ 200 nmol/l, also after adjustment in multivariate analysis. Conclusion A sex/gender-specific difference in Lp(a) distribution was observed. Female patients were more often distributed in higher Lp(a) categories than men, especially in Lp(a) categories > 105, ≥ 150, ≥ 175 and ≥ 200 nmol/l. If Lp(a) lowering agents prove to be effective in clinical trials and currently investigated Lp(a) thresholds are adopted, female patients undergoing CABG may represent a subgroup more likely meeting future treatment eligibility criteria for Lp(a) lowering therapies. The observed difference in Lp(a) distribution may yield a potential contributor to the consistently reported poorer clinical outcomes in women after CABG and warrants further investigation.
SN - 1476-511X
ER -