Introduction

Many risk factors of calcified aortic valve disease (CAVD) have been proposed. In recent years, interest in the potential pathogenetic contribution of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) has increased.

Aim

To assess the association between preoperative demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings and serum Lp(a) concentration in CAVD patients.

Material and methods

The study involved a retrospective analysis of preoperative data of 150 consecutive patients (108 men (72%) and 42 women (28%)) with a mean age of 64.9 ±9.1 years who underwent elective surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Patients were retrospectively divided into three groups based on Lp(a) concentration on admission: group L (low concentration; below the first quartile [Q1]; 4.8 mg/dl); M (moderate; between Q1 and Q3), and H (high; exceeding Q3; 65.2 mg/dl).

Results

Comparison of preoperative clinical parameters showed that group L patients were markedly older than group H individuals. Moreover, a moderate negative correlation (r = –0.309) between age and Lp(a) concentration was found. Additionally, group L subjects had the lowest BMI, and obesity was less frequent than in the other groups. Prevalence of other comorbidities and selected preoperative blood-derived parameters reflecting inflammatory processes (C-reactive protein, white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ration (PLR)) did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions

In this preliminary retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with CAVD, higher Lp(a) concentrations were associated with selected clinical characteristics of CAVD. Further longitudinal prospective studies are needed to clarify the role of elevated Lp(a) in CAVD progression.