Serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations do not change significantly in the immediate seven-day period post myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background Lipoprotein(a) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease and its variability after myocardial infarction was assessed in this study. Methods Lipoprotein(a) was analysed by a size insensitive latex immunoturbidimetric end point assay in samples from days 0 to 7 in 31 patients admitted with myocardial infarction. Results Median lipoprotein(a) changed by −0.9%, −0.1% and 9.6% on days 1, 2–3 and 4–7, respectively, and was not statistically significant. Median total cholesterol reduced by 8.7%, 9.1%, 14.5% and C-reactive protein increased by 68.4%, 510%, 502% over days 1, 2–3, 4–7, respectively. Conclusions Unlike total cholesterol and C-reactive protein, lipoprotein(a) does not demonstrate significant variability for up to seven days after myocardial infarction and measurements made during this period after myocardial infarction are physiologically meaningful.