HIGH-LEVELS OF LP(A) LIPOPROTEIN IN A FAMILY WITH CASES OF SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA

We report a family with two cases of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in which very high levels of Lp(a) lipoprotein were found. The serum lev el of Lp(a) lipoprotein is genetically determined and the Lp(a) apolip oprotein has a close homology to plasminogen. Very high levels of Lp(a ) lipoprotein might interfere with the fibrinolytic/thrombolytic proce ss in man. A previous report suggested that a high maternal serum Lp(a ) lipoprotein level can cause fetal growth retardation, and it is prop osed that very high levels might lead to increased deposition of fibri n in the uterine spiral arteries in pregnancy, which is central in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. If confirmed, a very high Lp(a) lipopr otein level could be one risk factor for pre-eclampsia that is genetic ally determined.