Plasma lipoprotein(a) distribution in the Framingham Offspring Study as determined with a commercially available immunoturbidimetric assay

The purpose of our research was to evaluate a commercially available, automated, immunoturbidimetric assay for lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), to determine the distribution of Lp(a) in the Framingham Offspring Study population, and to determine Lp(a) levels that may be useful for assessing coronary heart disease risk. The mean between-run coefficient of variation for this assay was 5.65%. Lp(a) concentration was slightly, but significantly, higher in 1949 white women (mean +/- S,D. 214 +/- 195 mg/l, median 150 mg/l) than in 1884 white men (mean +/- S.D, 200 +/- 193 mg/l, median 130 mg/l) participating in Cycle 4 of the Framingham Offspring Study (P = 0.0015). Lp(a) values of 300 mg/l and 500 mg/l corresponded to approximately the 75th and 90th percentiles, respectively, for both men and women, and subjects with concentrations greater than or equal to 500 mg/l were more likely to have coronary heart disease than subjects with an Lp(a) concentration less than 300 mg/l (P < 0.05 for men).