LIPOPROTEIN (A) AND VASCULAR-DISEASE - THROMBOGENESIS AND ATHEROGENESIS

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been recognized for nearly 30 years, and i ncreasingly, associated with the processes of atherogenesis and thromb ogenesis. Despite this, the physiological and pathological function (a nd factors that influence levels) of Lp(a) remain largely unknown. Mos t experimental evidence supporting the mechanisms of vascular disease, thrombogenesis and atherogenesis have been generated in vitro, and to date, no in vivo confirmation exists. There is also a lack of sound e vidence for Lp(a) as a risk factor in prospective as opposed to case-c ontrolled studies, A fuller understanding of Lp(a) is still required i n the molecular biology of atherogenesis and thrombogenesis.