Am J Prev Cardiol

ACC 2026: Clinician response to elevated Lp(a) remains modest despite rising awareness, study finds

March 17, 2026

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] seldom triggers therapeutic action, according to a new study that will be presented at American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2026. In a multicenter cohort of nearly 15,000 low‑risk patients, elevated Lp(a) was associated with earlier but still infrequent initiation of preventive pharmacotherapy. Nearly 80% of individuals with Lp(a) >50 mg/dL didn’t start lipid‑lowering therapy, and use of PCSK9 inhibitors or aspirin was even less common. Investigators note that current guidelines don’t recommend treating Lp(a) elevation alone, and contemporary prescribing patterns reflect selective rather than systematic management. These findings will appear online in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Source:

(2026, March 16). Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Researchers Find Low Response Rate by Clinicians to Elevated Levels of Lp(a) [Press release]. https://www.bumc.bu.edu/camed/news-events/articles/2026/researchers-find-low-response-rate-by-clinicians-to-elevated-levels-of-lpa/